ENVIRONMENT FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

Agriculture: Education

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many farms are participating in agri-environment scheme agreements; what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of such agreements in delivering her Department's agri-environmental objectives; and if she will make a statement.

James Paice: As at 23 May 2011, in England there were 56,186 participants in our agri-environment schemes, covering 6.3 million ha (67.4% of Utilisable Agricultural Area). Agri-environment schemes include Environmental Stewardship (ES) and its predecessor schemes, Environmentally Sensitive Areas and Countryside Stewardship.
	The Government believe that agri-environment schemes are the key tool for delivering their objectives for the natural environment. Our schemes are supported by a £1.4 million/year monitoring and evaluation programme and a £2.1 million/year research programme.
	Both these programmes contribute to the growing evidence base relating to the scheme objectives for wildlife, landscape, the historic environment, resource protection and access. The programmes include work to assess the impact of ES across a range of species, assess the success of ES habitat management and examine alternative management techniques with a view to improving the environmental delivery of the scheme.
	The following link sets out further detail on effectiveness of the schemes:
	http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ourwork/farming/funding/aesiereport.aspx

Angling

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make an assessment of the effect on angling of river conditions in chalk streams; and if she will make a statement.

Richard Benyon: Healthy chalk streams need enough water of the right quality together with suitable habitats to ensure productive angling.
	Across England there is a lot to do as only a quarter of chalk streams are currently regarded as-healthy according to the water framework directive (WFD). Making the required improvements to address the impacts of land use, abstraction, urbanisation and diffuse pollution will require concerted action by statutory organisations and others including water companies and fishery owners.
	In the long-term, Restoring Sustainable Abstraction (RSA) and the Periodic Review of Water Companies are some of the programmes that the Environment Agency (EA) and Ofwat are implementing. Additionally, the WFD is driving extensive work programs to deliver sustainable river restoration which will directly benefit our lakes and rivers. In the Water White Paper, due in the autumn, we are looking to make some changes which will improve the efficiency of the RSA programme. We will also provide more details on our plans to reform the abstraction management system to provide clearer signals to abstractors to make the necessary investments to meet water needs and protect ecosystem functioning.
	2011 has been an exceptionally dry year so far; the EA is watching the situation carefully to ensure there is enough water for people and the environment.

Eggs: Imports

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment her Department has made of the potential effects on the egg industry of imports of (a) products manufactured from shell eggs produced in non-compliant systems in the EU and (b) egg product manufactured from conventional cage production systems outside the EU.

James Paice: The Government are totally committed to the 2012 deadline to have phased out the keeping of laying hens in conventional cages in the UK.
	From 1 January 2012 it will be illegal to market eggs in this country from hens still in conventional cages.
	We are not able unilaterally to prevent egg products produced from eggs in conventional cages being imported from Third Countries. World Trade Organisation rules do not allow members to ban imports on the grounds of the welfare standards applied in third countries.
	We have, however, been at the forefront of efforts to convince the Commission that simply relying on infraction proceedings against non-compliant member states will not be enough to deal with the negative impact that non-compliance would cause and that additional measures would need to be put in place to prevent market disturbance and to protect compliant producers. We will continue to keep up the pressure on the Commission to act and act quickly.

Rivers: Hertfordshire

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will visit the Rivers Beane and Mimram in North East Hertfordshire constituency to assess their condition.

Richard Benyon: I would be happy to visit my hon. Friend's constituency and consider the current issues facing the Rivers Beane and Mimram.

Sea Bass

Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what representations she has received on increasing to 48cm the minimum landing size of sea bass for the purposes of ensuring that all sea bass taken have had at least one chance to spawn; and if she will make a statement.

Richard Benyon: holding answer 4 July 2011
	I confirm that there is a long standing history of representation from UK angling interests to increase the current minimum landing size (MLS) for sea bass, to achieve a better match to the size at which bass reach sexual maturity. A significant proportion of the commercial bass fishery, however, features vessels using trawled gear in a mixed fishery, which means the issue of raising the MLS is complex. To prevent a large increase in discards of bass in commercial fisheries using the most commonly applied mesh size range, the vessels would need to alter their fishing gear design or fishing practices to avoid catching or retaining under-sized bass.
	The current MLS is set out in EU legislation, and there will be a review and update of the overall package of technical measures, including MLSs where still applied following the Common Fisheries Policy reform process. This is the best means to determine agreed standards needed for any fishing gear and MLS which would apply to all member states involved in the fishery.

Yorkshire Dales National Park

David Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  what assessment she has made of the potential effects on the proposed extension of the Yorkshire Dales National Park on the areas proposed to be included;
	(2)  for what reason it is proposed to extend the Yorkshire Dales National Park into northern Lancashire.

Richard Benyon: Natural England is currently assessing proposed extensions to the Yorkshire Dales National Park, including Leek Fell in Lancashire.
	For designation to proceed, the areas must satisfy the criteria set out in Section 5(2) of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949. The Act defines a National Park as: an extensive tract of country in England which it appears to Natural England that, by reason of its natural beauty and the opportunities it affords for open-air recreation, having regard to both its character and its position in relation to centres of population, it is especially desirable that it is designated for the purposes of conserving and enhancing its natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage, and promoting understanding and enjoyment of its special qualities by the public.
	Once a decision has been made by Natural England, it will be for the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to determine whether to confirm the designation.

HOUSE OF COMMONS COMMISSION

Equal Pay

Jo Swinson: To ask the hon. Member for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross, representing the House of Commons Commission, pursuant to the answer of 10 May 2011, Official Report, column 1057W, on equal pay, when he expects the final version of the most recent equal pay audit of employees of the House of Commons Service to be available.

John Thurso: The House has consulted the trade unions on the draft equal pay report and a number of minor amendments have been agreed with them. A final summary version for publication has been prepared and it is expected that it will be made available before the summer recess.

SCOTLAND

Departmental Carbon Emissions

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether his Department has any plans to generate low-carbon energy from its estate.

David Mundell: The Scotland Office does not have any plans to generate low-carbon energy from its estate, which consists of two listed buildings, one in Edinburgh and one in London. However, a significant reduction in carbon emissions from its estate has been achieved by the Scotland Office over the past year.

Departmental Freedom of Information

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many requests under the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 his Department received from (a) hon. Members from each political party and (b) members of the public in each year since the Act's entry into force.

David Mundell: The Department does not collect statistics about the background of individual requesters. This is because the Freedom of Information Act is applicant and motive blind and therefore it is not necessary to record or determine whether a requester is a Member of Parliament or a member of the public.
	The earliest calendar year for which the Scotland Office holds searchable records of the names of individual requesters is 2010. During 2010, we have identified 23 requests as having been received from MPs however this figure may not represent all Freedom of Information requests from MPs as we can only identify those that are clearly stated as being from an MP.
	The Ministry of Justice publishes quarterly and annual statistics on the volume, timeliness and outcome of information requests received by over 40 central Government bodies.

NORTHERN IRELAND

Departmental Advertising

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland 
	(1)  how much his Department has spent on placing advertisements in newspapers in Northern Ireland in each year since 2005;
	(2)  how much his Department spent on advertising in each newspaper in Northern Ireland in each year since 2005.

Owen Paterson: Comparable figures for the Department as it is now configured are not available following the completion of devolution of policing and justice functions on 12 April 2010.
	Since 12 April 2010, all advertising for the Northern Ireland Office has been contracted out to third party media agencies. This advertising has been in connection with the recruitment and appointment of commissioners to the Parades Commission, the Equality Commission and the NIHRC by the NIO, and by the Chief Electoral Officer in connection with the recent Assembly elections. The total spend on such agencies was £64,404.
	My Department does not hold information on advertising spend for each individual newspaper in Northern Ireland.

Departmental Advertising

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much his Department spent on advertising on (a) local radio and (b) local television in Northern Ireland in each year since 2005.

Owen Paterson: Comparable figures for the Department as it is now configured are not available following the completion of devolution of policing and justice functions on 12 April 2010.
	Since 12 April 2010 my Department has had a nil spend for advertising on (a) local radio and (b) local television in Northern Ireland.

Departmental Billing

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what proportion of invoices from small and medium-sized businesses were paid by his Department within five working days of receipt in the last 12 months for which figures are available.

Owen Paterson: The Department does not currently record and publish information about the size of suppliers as this does not fully reflect the number and size of businesses engaged in supplying goods and services. For example, many SMEs can be found within larger supply chains.
	During the 12 months to the end of May 2011 a total of 10,449 invoices were received by the Department. 40% of these were paid within five working days of receipt, and 97.5% were paid within 10 working days of receipt.

Victim Support

Margaret Ritchie: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he has had recent discussions with the Irish Government on joint steps by the British and Irish Governments to address the needs of victims; and if he will make a statement.

Owen Paterson: I have met with the Irish Foreign Minister twice in the past three months to discuss a range of issues, including dealing with the past.
	Responsibility for providing practical services and support to victims rests with the devolved administration. For its part, the UK Government are committed to considering what contribution they can make to dealing with the contentious legacy of the Troubles in a way that helps bring a measure of closure to victims and wider society.

Welfare State: Reform

Margaret Ritchie: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what recent discussions he has had with the Northern Ireland Executive on the provisions of the Welfare Reform Bill.

Owen Paterson: I have had no such discussions, though my Department is in contact with the Executive about securing the Assembly's consent for certain provisions of the Bill.

WALES

Departmental Advertising

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much her Department has spent on placing advertisements in newspapers in Wales in each year since 2005.

David Jones: In 2006 recruitment advertisements were placed in national and Welsh newspapers to recruit the Head of Communications. The total spent on the advertising in Welsh newspapers was £3,950.

Departmental Billing

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what proportion of invoices from small and medium-sized businesses were paid by her Department within five working days of receipt in the last 12 months for which figures are available.

David Jones: The Wales Office paid 94.63% of all invoices within five days over the last 12 months. Our records are not kept in a form that enables us to differentiate between the sizes of businesses.

Departmental Carbon Emissions

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales whether her Department has any plans to generate low-carbon energy from its estate.

David Jones: The Wales Office has a small estate, consisting of a listed building in London and leased office space in Cardiff, and it is not practicable to generate low-carbon energy on this estate. My Department has, however, put in place initiatives to reduce its environmental impact, such as:
	increasing recycling;
	encouraging staff to switch off unused electrical equipment; and
	more use of video conferencing to reduce the need to travel to and from meetings.

Departmental Official Cars

Stephen Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what the cost to her Department was of the provision of ministerial cars in each financial year between 2000-01 and 2010-11; how many (a) cars for the exclusive use of Ministers and (b) ministerial car journeys were paid for by her Department in each such year; what the average cost to her Department of a ministerial car journey was in each such year; and what steps her Department has taken to reduce the cost of ministerial cars since her appointment.

David Jones: The Department for Transport publish the cost and numbers of ministerial cars each year in the annual written ministerial statement, details of which can be found within the Libraries of both Houses.
	2005- 06
	http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200607/cmhansrd/cm070726/wmstext/70726m0004.htm
	2006-07
	http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200607/cmhansrd/cm070726/wmstext/70726m0004.htm
	2007-08
	http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200708/cmhansrd/cm080722/wmstext/80722m0008.htm
	2008-09
	http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200809/cmhansrd/cm090716/wmstext/90716m0009.htm
	2009-10
	http://www.dft.gov.uk/press/speechesstatements/statements/hammond20101028a
	Details of the costs for 2010-11 are being compiled and due for release in July 2011.
	Information prior to 2005 is not available and would be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
	Information relating to individual ministerial car journeys prior to September 2010 is not available as there was no requirement to collect these data. The Wales Office has reduced the number of ministerial cars from three to one.
	In September 2010 we reduced the cars in London from two to one and in May 2011 we returned the car used in Cardiff at the end of its contract.

Enterprise Zones

Jonathan Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions she has had with the Welsh Government on the potential to establish enterprise zones in Wales similar to those in England; and if she will make a statement.

Cheryl Gillan: I had initial discussions with the First Minister on the day of the Budget, following the announcement of the introduction of enterprise zones in England, which should result in consequential payments of £10 million to the Welsh Government.
	I have also written on a number of occasions making clear my commitment to work with the Welsh Government to establish enterprise zones in Wales.
	I am pleased that the First Minister has now confirmed that Wales will benefit from enterprise zones. This will provide a much needed boost to businesses, and make Wales more attractive to investors.

ELECTORAL COMMISSION COMMITTEE

Elections

Chris Ruane: To ask the hon. Member for South West Devon, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission, how much was spent on electoral administrative costs in each local authority area in each year since 2007.

Gary Streeter: The Electoral Commission informs me that all the information is available by local authority on their website at:
	http://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/performance-standards/financial-information
	The information covers the financial years 2007-08 and 2008-09. Data relating to 2009-10 will be published in summer 2011.

Elections

Chris Ruane: To ask the hon. Member for South West Devon, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission, which local authorities did not provide routine electoral administrative cost data returns in (a) 2007-08 and (b) 2008-09.

Gary Streeter: The local authorities who did not provide routine electoral administrative cost data returns in (a) 2007-08 and (b) 2008-09 can be found in the following lists. This information is also available on the Commission's website at:
	http://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/performance-standards/financial-information
	Data relating to 2009-10 will be published this summer. The Commission has contacted all local authorities that did not provide information to remind them of the importance of doing this, and requested that information is provided for inclusion in our report on 2009-10 costs.
	2007-08
	Amber Valley
	Barnet
	Bedford
	Blaenau Gwent
	Bolsover
	Boston
	Breckland
	Brentwood
	Castle Morpeth
	Ceredigion
	Cherwell
	Chiltern
	Colchester
	Copeland
	Crawley
	Durham City
	East Hampshire
	East Lindsey
	Enfield
	Gateshead
	Halton
	Haringey
	Harlow
	Hastings
	Herefordshire
	Hillingdon
	Ipswich
	Isles of Scilly
	Kensington and Chelsea
	Lambeth
	Lewisham
	Luton
	Maidstone
	Melton
	Merthyr Tydfil
	Mid Sussex
	Monmouthshire
	North Kesteven
	North Lincolnshire
	North West Leicestershire
	Oldham
	Powys
	Redditch
	Rugby
	Rutland
	Selby
	South Bucks
	South Derbyshire
	South Lakeland
	Southampton
	Southend-on-Sea
	St Edmundsbury
	Stoke-on-Trent
	Suffolk Coastal
	Sunderland
	Swansea
	Tewkesbury
	Thanet
	Vale of Glamorgan
	Winchester
	2008-09
	Babergh
	Barking and Dagenham
	Barnet
	Basildon
	Bedford
	Breckland
	Brentwood
	Brighton and Hove
	Broadland
	Bromsgrove
	Castle Point
	Central Bedfordshire
	Ceredigion
	Chiltern
	City of London
	Copeland
	Corby
	Dudley
	East Hampshire
	East Lindsey
	East Riding of Yorkshire
	Erewash
	Fenland
	Greenwich
	Harrogate
	Hertsmere
	Ipswich
	Kensington and Chelsea
	Lambeth
	Leeds
	Lewes
	Lewisham
	Luton
	Manchester
	Mid Sussex
	Monmouthshire
	Newham
	Newport
	North Hertfordshire
	North Lincolnshire
	Northumberland
	Norwich
	Nuneaton and Bedworth
	Oxford
	Peterborough
	Portsmouth
	Powys
	Preston
	Redditch
	Ribble Valley
	Richmondshire
	Rochford
	Rugby
	Rutland
	Sefton
	Selby
	Shepway
	Shropshire
	South Derbyshire
	Southampton
	Southend-on-Sea
	Spelthorne
	Suffolk Coastal
	Sunderland
	Tandridge
	Thanet
	Warrington
	Warwick
	Waverley
	Wiltshire
	Winchester
	Woking
	Wokingham
	Wrexham
	Wyre Forest
	York

Electoral Commission

Chris Ruane: To ask the hon. Member for South West Devon, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission, what steps the Electoral Commission is taking to improve the quality of data collected by the Commission on the interventions it carries out.

Gary Streeter: The Electoral Commission will be revising the performance standards framework over the coming year in order to focus on the delivery of quality outcomes and the monitoring of performance in real-time. As part of this review the Electoral Commission will consider recommendations provided by internal and external audits over the past year and will consult widely on the proposed revisions.

Electoral Register

Chris Ruane: To ask the hon. Member for South West Devon, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission, which electoral registration officers rated themselves too highly in their self-assessment and had their ratings reduced in (a) 2008, (b) 2009 and (c) 2010.

Gary Streeter: The Electoral Commission informs me that in 2008 14 electoral registration officers rated themselves too highly, and had their assessment reduced. Three electoral registration officers assessments were reduced in 2009 and none in 2010. The following lists show the electoral registration officers in question.
	2008
	Bournemouth
	Caradon
	Carrick
	Cheltenham
	East Devon
	Forest of Dean
	North Cornwall
	North Devon
	North Dorset
	Purbeck
	Sedgemoor
	Swindon
	West Devon
	West Somerset
	2009
	Bournemouth
	Lambeth
	Newcastle.

Electoral Register

Chris Ruane: To ask the hon. Member for South West Devon, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission, which regions of the UK did not achieve the required verification size for electoral registration officers self-assessment in (a) 2008, (b) 2009 and (c) 2010.

Gary Streeter: The Electoral Commission informs me that all regions in the UK achieved the required verification sample sizes of 25% in each region for 2008 (the first year of performance standards), and 10% in each region for 2009 and 2010.

Electoral Register: Standards

Chris Ruane: To ask the hon. Member for South West Devon, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission, when the Electoral Commission plans to move towards outcome-focused measures for electoral registration performance standards.

Gary Streeter: The Electoral Commission is currently developing a revised set of performance standards for electoral registration officers (EROs) and will consult formally on these in early 2012 with view to implementing the new approach in time for the September 2012 annual canvass of electors. The new standards will focus on the activities EROs will need to consider in order to move successfully towards a system of individual registration.

PRIME MINISTER

Railways: China

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Prime Minister whether he discussed China's recent development of high speed rail travel and lessons that the UK might learn from this experience during the recent visit to the UK of the Chinese Premier.

David Cameron: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave during the press conference with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao on Monday 27 June 2011. A transcript of the press conference is available on the Number 10 website
	http://www.number10.gov.uk/news/speeches-and-transcripts/2011/06/press-conference-with-premier-wen-jiabao-65285

CULTURE MEDIA AND SPORT

Arts: China

Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport whether he has met representatives of the Chinese Government to discuss the creative industries.

Jeremy Hunt: I met with representatives of the Chinese Government on 26 June. A range of issues relating to my Department's many areas of responsibility were discussed, including the creative industries.

Arts: Tax Allowances

Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport when he last discussed with the Chancellor of the Exchequer the provision of tax incentives for arts philanthropy.

Jeremy Hunt: I regularly discuss a broad range of issues with Treasury colleagues. On 29 June my Department, HM Treasury and HM Revenue and Customs jointly published a consultation document on gifts of pre-eminent objects and works of art to the nation. This is a significant new incentive to arts philanthropy which was announced by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in the Budget.

Broadband: Hertfordshire

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport pursuant to the answer of 21 June 2011, Official Report, column 164W, on broadband, by what date he expects the households with low-speed broadband in North East Hertfordshire constituency to have access to high-speed broadband; and if he will make a statement.

Edward Vaizey: Broadband Delivery UK is working with Hertfordshire county council on their local broadband plan, which will inform the delivery of broadband in Hertfordshire up to 2015.

Capita

Tristram Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport how many contracts his Department has awarded to Capita since May 2010; and what the (a) monetary value and (b) net worth was of each contract.

John Penrose: The Department has not awarded any contracts to Capita since May 2010.

Creative Industries Council

Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what sub-groups are proposed to be established as part of the Creative Industries Council.

Jeremy Hunt: The Creative Industries Council will establish two 'task and finish' working groups in order to take forward actions in the areas of skills and access to finance. A third working group will look at issues which impact on businesses' ability to achieve growth including innovation, infrastructure, intellectual property and exports.

Departmental Carbon Emissions

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport whether his Department has any plans to generate low-carbon energy from its estate.

John Penrose: The Department has no plans to generate low-carbon energy from its estate.

Departmental Official Cars

Stephen Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what the cost to his Department was of the provision of ministerial cars in each financial year between 2000-01 and 2010-11; how many (a) cars for the exclusive use of Ministers and (b) ministerial car journeys were paid for by his Department in each such year; what the average cost to his Department of a ministerial car journey was in each such year; and what steps his Department has taken to reduce the cost of ministerial cars since his appointment.

John Penrose: The information relating to the cost and number of ministerial cars is published in the annual written ministerial statement, details of which can be found within the Libraries of both Houses.
	2005-06
	http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200607/cmhansrd/cm070726/wmstext/70726m0004.htm
	2006-07
	http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200607/cmhansrd/cm070726/wmstext/70726m0004.htm
	2007-08
	http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200708/cmhansrd/cm080722/wmstext/80722m0008.htm
	2008-09
	http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200809/cmhansrd/cm090716/wmstext/90716m0009.htm
	2009-10
	http://www.dft.gov.uk/press/speechesstatements/statements/hammond20101028a
	Details of the costs for 2010-11 are being compiled and are due for release in July 2011. The Department has cancelled its contract with the Government Car Service and no cars or drivers are allocated to its Ministers.
	Information prior to 2005 is not available and would be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
	Information relating to individual ministerial car journeys prior to September 2010 is not available as there was no requirement to collect these data.
	Information relating to the number of ministerial car journeys made since the introduction of the ‘on-demand’ ministerial car service on 6 September 2010 and up until 31 March 2011 is set out in the following table:
	
		
			  Number of journeys 
			 2010  
			 September 3 
			 October 3 
			 November 3 
			 December 0 
			   
			 2011  
			 January 0 
			 February 2 
			 March 1

Historic Buildings: Repairs and Maintenance

Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what steps are available to communities in cases where heritage buildings owned by (a) public authorities and (b) private individuals or companies are allowed to fall into disrepair.

Jeremy Hunt: Communities can put pressure on their public authorities to maintain appropriate standards of care for local authority owned heritage buildings, or where the conditions are right they can seek to have ownership of buildings transferred to them so they can take direct responsibility. English Heritage has produced guidance on both looking after local authority assets—‘Managing Local Authority Heritage Assets: some guiding principles for decision-makers’ and transferring assets into community ownership—‘Pillars of the Community’.
	Communities can encourage their local authorities to serve amenity notices, urgent works notices, repairs notices and ultimately compulsory purchase orders on owners who let their historic buildings fall into disrepair.

Historic Buildings: Repairs and Maintenance

Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the cost of reducing the rate of VAT on repairs on listed buildings and heritage assets other than places of worship.

Jeremy Hunt: I regularly meet with my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer, to discuss a wide range of issues. However, VAT is a matter for Her Majesty's Treasury.

Internet: Children

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what steps he is taking to facilitate the blocking of (a) adult and (b) age-restricted internet material by parents; what recent discussions he has had with internet providers on this issue; and if he will make a statement.

Edward Vaizey: The Government are committed to ensuring children can use the internet safely. I have already had a number of roundtables with internet service providers (ISPs) to look at creating a voluntary code of practice to protect children from viewing potentially harmful content such as that found on adult and age-restricted websites.
	Government chair the UK Council for Child Internet Safety (UKCCIS) which is responsible for ensuring children are protected from harmful and inappropriate content when online.
	Through UKCCIS, we are working with industry to ensure that all consumers are able to make an active choice at point of sale, or when they first switch on their internet-enabled technologies, if they want parental control filters to be activated. This approach was also recommended in the recently published Bailey review.

Internet: Copyright

Rehman Chishti: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport whether he has had discussions with (a) copyright holders, (b) internet service providers and (c) internet companies on websites alleged to facilitate copyright infringement.

Edward Vaizey: The Government are regularly in discussion with all relevant parts of industry about ways to reduce online copyright infringement. As a part of that wider dialogue, Government have hosted discussions between copyright owners, internet service providers, search engines and consumer representation on issues around blocking access to websites that are focussed primarily on infringing copyright.

Internet: Copyright

Rehman Chishti: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what his policy is on the introduction of a website blocking scheme to prevent copyright infringement.

Edward Vaizey: The Government do not have any in-principle objections to blocking access to websites which are set up primarily to infringe copyright. We recognise that there are technical issues which need to be addressed in order for a site blocking scheme to be effective, and appreciate that any such scheme should take due consideration of consumer rights and be compatible with both UK and European legislation.
	We have received Ofcom's report, which Government commissioned, on the practical workability of the site blocking measures in the Digital Economy Act (sections 17 and 18). We are considering it carefully and will publish the report and the Government's response in due course. In the meantime, Government have hosted discussions between copyright owners, internet service providers, search engines and consumer representation on issues around blocking access to websites that are focused primarily on infringing copyright. These are industry proposals which Government are observing with interest.

Lytham Hall

Mark Menzies: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what representations he has received on the future of Lytham Hall.

John Penrose: The Department has not received representations on the future of Lytham Hall, however the building is on English Heritage's At Risk Register and is Grade I listed. English Heritage have provided specialist support and advice to the Heritage Trust for the North West who are the custodians of the Hall, and recently commissioned a programme of dendrochronological dating for the Hall to assist the Trust in better understanding the development of the site.

Members: Correspondence

Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport when he plans to reply to the letter of 19 May 2011 from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Mr M.E. Haworth.

John Penrose: A reply from the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport was e-mailed to the right hon. Member's parliamentary office on 25 May within 48 hours of receipt of his correspondence. We will e-mail another copy immediately in case the original cannot be found.

Museums and Galleries: Charitable Trusts

Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport when he plans to agree with national museums a framework for the creation of charitable trusts.

Jeremy Hunt: A framework and way forward was agreed at the end of May 2011 when national museum directors and I met.

Music: Video Recordings

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport if he will bring forward proposals to introduce an age rating classification system for music videos; and if he will make a statement.

Edward Vaizey: Ministers have already made a commitment to carrying out a consultation on the exemptions in the Video Recordings Act. That consultation will be published in the summer.

Olympic Games 2012

Bridget Phillipson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what recent discussions he has had with the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games on the route to be followed by the Olympic torch.

Hugh Robertson: The Secretary of State met the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games on 27 April to be briefed on the overnight stops for the London 2012 torch relay.

Olympic Games 2012

Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what estimate he has made of the number of free passes to attend London 2012 Olympics events which will be allocated to (a) members of the International Olympic Committee and (b) the Olympic family.

Hugh Robertson: There are no free passes or tickets for the London 2012 Olympic Games. The London Organising Committee (LOCOG) are responsible for ticketing and accreditation for the games. LOCOG will accredit those that will be working at the games, including the International Olympic Committee and the Olympic family, but at this stage the numbers of accreditations have not been finalised.

Olympic Games 2012: Tickets

Anne Main: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what assessment he has made of the arrangements put in place by the organisers of the London 2012 Olympics to keep applicants for tickets to the Olympics informed of the progress of their applications.

Hugh Robertson: The London 2012 Organising Committee (LOCOG) has regularly and directly communicated with applicants for tickets to the Olympic Games. In addition, LOCOG has placed considerable information about the ticketing process on:
	http://www.tickets.london2012.com
	LOCOG will continue to communicate with applicants and ticketholders over the next 13 months until the Games themselves.

Olympic Games 2012: Tickets

Anne Main: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what assessment he has made of the distribution of tickets for the London 2012 Olympics (a) overall and (b) by region.

Hugh Robertson: The London 2012 Organising Committee (LOCOG) is a private company operating independently of Government, responsible for the ticketing arrangements for the 2012 Games.
	Overall at the close of the first application window in April 2011, 1.9 million applications were made for 22 million Olympic tickets. Over 95% of applications—and successful applications—were from UK residents. 700,000 applicants were successful in obtaining some or all of the tickets they applied for, securing a total of 3 million tickets. Successful applicants were, on average, allocated between four and five tickets, totalling around £275.
	LOCOG has not broken down applications by region. Ticket applications were split approximately equally between London, the wider South-East and the rest of the UK.

Olympic Games 2012: Tickets

Anne Main: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what assessment he has made of the number of tickets for the London 2012 Olympics allocated to disabled people.

Hugh Robertson: The Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport, has made no such assessment. The London 2012 Organising Committee (LOCOG) aims to make the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games the most accessible and inclusive possible. As part of this commitment, it has ensured that disabled people have the same level of access to tickets the Games as non-disabled people.
	LOCOG integrated its ticketing website to allow visually-impaired people to buy tickets like everyone else, using a screen reader or other assistive technology and without needing to make a phone call. LOCOG is providing a high number of wheelchair spaces (with a free companion seat) at each venue with accessible ticketed seats all around the new venues rather than in segregated areas. Ticket applicants were also enabled to select seats up fewest stairs or at the end of a row.

Olympic Games 2012: Tickets

Anne Main: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what assessment he has made of the arrangements for (a) returning tickets for the London 2012 Olympics and (b) reselling returned tickets.

Hugh Robertson: For those that have purchased tickets but are no longer able to use them, the London 2012 Organising Committee (LOCOG) will be putting in place an official London 2012 ticket resale programme in 2012 through which tickets can be resold to others at face value. This will be the only authorised way to resell London 2012 tickets.

Olympic Games 2012: Tickets

Anne Main: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what recent discussions he has had with sponsors of the London 2012 Olympics on the use of their ticket allocation.

Hugh Robertson: The Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport, has had no discussions with sponsors about their tickets. 75% of tickets are available through the UK public application process. Only 8% of tickets are allocated for sponsors and stakeholders to purchase, many of which will be available for their staff or public competitions.

Olympic Games 2012: Tickets

Anne Main: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport whether he plans to discuss the arrangements for applying for tickets with the organisers of the London 2012 Olympics.

Hugh Robertson: The Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport, has regular meetings with the London 2012 Organising Committee to be updated about arrangements for the staging of the Games (including ticketing) and will continue to do so.

Olympic Games 2012: Tobacco

Diane Abbott: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport if he will encourage the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games to request technical support from the World Health Organisation for the implementation of a tobacco-free policy at the London 2012 Olympics.

Hugh Robertson: Officials in this Department and the Department of Health have discussed our aspiration for a tobacco free games with the London 2012 Organising Committee (LOCOG).
	LOCOG will finalise its approach on smoking closer to the time of the games, and will draw on relevant expertise and experience, such as that from previous games.

Public Libraries

Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport when he plans to publish guidance to local authorities on local community involvement in the delivery of public library services.

Jeremy Hunt: On 16 June 2011 I wrote to leaders of local authorities making them aware of a study published by the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council on models of local community involvement in the delivery of public library services. The study can be found at the following link:
	http://www.mla.gov.uk/what/policy_development/communities/Community_management_and_community_ ownership

Royal Parks: Cycling

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport pursuant to the answer of 16 June 2011, Official Report, column 888W, on the Royal Parks, if he will review the prohibition on cycling in Royal Parks.

John Penrose: There are no current plans to review the designated cycling facilities in the Royal Parks.

Sport England: Finance

Barry Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport how much funding Sport England has given to national governing bodies for whole sport plans in each year since 2009.

Hugh Robertson: Sport England provide funding awards (capital and revenue) for the national governing bodies to support delivery of their 2009-13 Whole Sport Plans. These are set out in the following table:
	
		
			 Financial year £ 
			 2009-10 95,196,616 
			 2010-11 103,521,127 
			 2011-12 97,149,737 
			 2012-13 93,875,509

Television: Licensing

Steve Brine: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport whether he has considered the merits of exempting Ministry of Defence bases and accommodation from television licensing laws.

Edward Vaizey: The Government have no plans to change the way in which Ministry of Defence bases and accommodation are covered by television licensing legislation.

Tourism

Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport with reference to his Department's March 2011 publication, Government tourism policy, when he plans to set up the industry taskforce to identify sector specific rules, regulation, inspection and forms holding back the tourism industry.

Jeremy Hunt: The industry taskforce was set up on 21 June under the chairmanship of Alan Parker. Regular updates will be provided to the Minister for Tourism and Heritage, my hon. Friend the Member for Weston-super-Mare (John Penrose), culminating in a full report by the end of the year.

Tourism

Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport when the Government plans to launch its cross-departmental campaign to market Britain internationally.

Jeremy Hunt: VisitBritain launched a global television campaign on 20 June, featuring a number of British celebrities, to mark the start of the £100 million international marketing campaign supported by the Government and the private sector. Full details can be found at the following link:
	http://www.visitbritain.org/mediaroom/pressreleases/advertlaunch.aspx

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Democratic Republic of Congo: Females

Paul Uppal: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps the Government is taking in relation to violence against women in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Stephen O'Brien: The UK provides support to victims of sexual violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) through our contribution to the UN Humanitarian Pooled Fund, which provides medical care and psycho-social support to thousands of affected people each year. We are also working to make the DRC a safer place for women through a police reform programme which aims to improve the police response to gender violence. The project is being piloted in three provinces and aims to achieve a 30% increase over the next two years in the proportion of women who report feeling safe. The UK Government are also working with the UN peace support mission (MONUSCO) and the Government of the DRC to step up efforts through the security services and justice system to protect women and to end impunity.

Departmental Carbon Emissions

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development whether his Department has any plans to generate low-carbon energy from its estate.

Alan Duncan: The Department for International Development (DFID) is currently taking forward the installation of a Biomass Boiler at our East Kilbride site, which should be completed by December 2011. This will reduce our carbon emissions from gas usage at this site by more than 50% as all emissions from the Biomass are carbon neutral. We have already significantly reduced our carbon emissions from gas usage by installing a green roof.
	DFID has also worked closely with the Carbon Trust to carry out initial feasibility reports for low carbon technologies such as a wind turbine, solar panels and tri-generation boilers. We are currently working with them to identify appropriate new technologies as part of our long term strategy to minimise the carbon emissions from our estate.

Developing Countries: Climate Change

Tom Clarke: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps he is taking to secure funds to support climate finance after 2014.

Stephen O'Brien: The UK Government are committed to helping developing countries carry out the urgent work needed to adapt to climate change and develop in a low carbon way, including reducing emissions from deforestation. The UK is seeking an ambitious legally binding, global deal on climate change, including provisions for the carbon market which will drive funding for low carbon, resilient development. The UK is also working with partners in the G20 to identify long-term sources of climate finance towards meeting the Copenhagen Summit target of providing $100 billion annually from 2020 for developing countries.
	The UK is actively taking part in negotiations to design and establish the Green Climate Fund, which was agreed at the Cancun Summit in December 2010.

Developing Countries: Climate Change

Tom Clarke: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what plans he has to use monies allocated for international climate finance for the Green Climate Fund.

Stephen O'Brien: The UK Government believe the Green Fund could make an important contribution to improving the effectiveness and impact of climate finance and serve as one of the key vehicles for delivering scaled-up finance, alongside other bilateral and multilateral channels. Discussions about pledging will not begin until the design process is much further advanced, when we can assess the extent to which the fund will be capable of delivering results and securing value for money.

Developing Countries: Females

Anas Sarwar: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment he has made of the development results framework contained in the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women strategic plan for 2011 to 2013.

Andrew Mitchell: The UK has strongly supported the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women, known as UN Women, since its creation. UN Women's strategic plan was formally adopted on 30 June 2011. The UK supports the priority areas outlined in the plan. For example, tackling violence against girls and women and increasing women's economic empowerment and leadership will prove vital in improving the lives of millions. We will continue to work closely with UN Women to ensure its work will deliver results to improve the lives of girls and women across the world.

Developing Countries: Tuberculosis

Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment he has made of the potential effects of drugs, vaccines and diagnostics on the levels of tuberculosis in developing countries.

Stephen O'Brien: The contribution of new drugs and technologies on the levels of tuberculosis (TB) in developing countries could be significant, but there are limitations. While most TB patients can be cured with present drug regimens, the 2050 elimination target is far more likely to be achieved with a combination of improved diagnostics, drugs and vaccines that can detect and treat both latent TB infection and active disease. Recent modelling for the World Health Organisation has suggested that a combination of a neonatal pre-exposure TB vaccine, a two-month treatment regimen effective against drug-susceptible and resistant strains of TB, and a novel point-of-care diagnostic test could potentially reduce the incidence of TB by 71%. There are, however, questions remaining about the effect of these in high HIV prevalent areas.

Developing Countries: Tuberculosis

Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what funding his Department provided to research and development of (a) diagnostics, (b) drugs and (c) vaccines to diagnose, reduce and prevent tuberculosis in each of the last five years.

Stephen O'Brien: The Department for International Development (DFID) is supporting a range of research programmes to promote the development of new diagnostics, drugs and vaccines for tuberculosis (TB). These include: the Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics (FIND), the Global Alliance for TB Drugs, and the Aeras Global TB Vaccine Foundation, Funding amounts for the last five years are provided in the following table.
	
		
			 DFID funding 
			 £ 
			  FIND Aeras Global Alliance forTB Drugs Total 
			 2010-11 500,000 5,500,000 7,313,616 13,313,616 
			 2009-10 1,500,000 4,000,000 5,686,384 11,186,384 
			 2008-09 0 0 3,900,000 3,900,000 
			 2007-08 0 0 900,000 900,000 
			 2006-07 0 0 1,800,000 1,800,000 
			 Total 2,000,000 9,500,000 19,600,000 31,100,000

Developing Countries: Tuberculosis

Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what his Department's policy is on the implementation and delivery of (a) diagnostics, (b) drugs and (c) vaccines to diagnose, prevent and treat tuberculosis.

Stephen O'Brien: The coalition Government are committed to supporting global efforts to halve tuberculosis (TB) deaths by 2015 through the delivery of the revised Global Plan to Stop TB 2011-15, as highlighted in ‘UK aid: Changing lives, delivering results’. In support of this objective, and to help to drive progress towards zero HIV infections and deaths by 2015, scaling up access to TB diagnosis, treatment care and support is a strategic priority in the coalition Government's recently launched ‘Towards zero infections: The UK's position paper on HIV in the developing world’.

Developing Countries: Tuberculosis

Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps his Department has taken to support the development of (a) diagnostics, (b) drugs and (c) vaccines to diagnose, prevent and treat tuberculosis; and what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of such steps.

Stephen O'Brien: The Department for International Development (DFID) is supporting a number of product development partnerships to encourage industrial development of new diagnostics, drugs and vaccines for tuberculosis. This includes support to the Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics (FIND); the Global Alliance for TB Drugs; and the Aeras Global TB Vaccine Foundation. These initiatives are making progress. For instance, FIND has helped develop a new diagnostic for rapid detection of TB (‘GeneXpert'). This may help shorten the time to diagnosis and cut transmission, thus preventing new cases in future. FIND is also working on how it can adapt these tools for use in more peripheral settings.

India: Overseas Aid

Barry Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps he is taking to ensure that the value of the UK's aid programme in India is recognised by the government of India.

Andrew Mitchell: The British and Indian Governments work in partnership to deliver shared goals on poverty reduction in India and globally. During my visit to India last November several Government Ministers, as well as experts outside Government, confirmed to me that the UK's development co-operation programme is highly valued.

Private Sector Expertise

Barry Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps he is taking to improve private sector expertise among officials of his Department.

Stephen O'Brien: DFID established a new private sector department at the beginning of January this year. An objective of this new department is to help DFID work more closely with the private sector across a broad range of issues. This will allow DFID to engage more effectively with private enterprise to deliver our objectives more effectively.
	We have recruited externally with the aim of attracting individuals from the private sector to work in DFID. We also intend to bring in short-term private sector secondments in order to inject new, business-savvy thinking into DFID to help us capitalise on defined opportunities. We shall also bring together time-limited groups of business men and women to work with us to find creative solutions to development challenges.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

Afghanistan: Politics and Government

Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of constitutional structures in Afghanistan.

William Hague: The Afghan constitution of January 2004 set out a number of political and judicial structures. The constitution contains provisions to guarantee a separation of powers between these structures.
	We have made no formal assessment of this kind, but we work closely with both the Afghan Government and the international community to strengthen political and judicial institutions in Afghanistan. This includes funding training for parliamentarians to provide them with the skills and expertise necessary to play a full role in the legislative process.

Departmental Official Hospitality

Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the 10 most expensive receptions hosted by his Department were (a) in the UK and (b) overseas since his appointment; and what the total cost was of each such event.

William Hague: The information for (a) is not held in the form requested. However, the most prominent events which Government Hospitality has arranged for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) since May 2010 were as follows. I hosted the diplomatic reception in honour of the official birthday of Her Majesty the Queen which is traditionally held in early June. The 2010 and 2011 receptions were held at a cost of approximately £19,548 and £11,020, compared with a cost of £24,368 in 2009. I hosted a diplomatic reception on the day of the royal wedding at a cost of £12,984. The figures do not include VAT.
	I hosted a Christmas reception organised by the FCO for the London diplomatic corps and other contacts which replaced two events held previously. This event at a cost of about £9,823 replaced two events held at a cost of more than £16,000 in the previous year.
	All expenditure on business hospitality is incurred in accordance with HM Treasury guidelines and is rigorously scrutinised to ensure value for money and effectiveness.
	No central records are held of other receptions hosted across the Foreign and Commonwealth Office or at missions overseas, and to provide this information would incur disproportionate cost.

Forced Marriage Unit

Fiona Mactaggart: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many cases have been dealt with by the Forced Marriage Unit in (a) 2010 and (b) the last 12 months.

Jeremy Browne: The information is as follows:
	(a) In 2010, the Forced Marriage Unit (FMU) gave advice or support in 1,735 cases involving a possible forced marriage. Of that number, there were 469 cases where the FMU provided active assistance.
	(b) From January to June 2011, the FMU gave advice or support in 738 cases involving a possible forced marriage. Of that number, there have been 126 cases where the FMU provided active assistance.

Israel: Religious Freedom

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent reports he has received of the ability of each religious community in Israel to (a) exercise its faith, (b) to observe its (i) holidays and (ii) weekly day of rest and (c) administer its internal affairs; and if he will make a statement.

Alistair Burt: The Government strongly support the right to freedom of religion or belief. Our embassy in Tel Aviv routinely raise concerns about freedom of religion or belief with the Israelis.
	We have received no evidence of any problems for religious groups within green line Israel. Most of the problems that different religious groups suffer in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories stem from the ongoing occupation and the mutual mistrust that characterises Israeli-Palestinian relations. This is one of the reasons why we lay so much emphasis on resolving the conflict. The only way to resolve the conflict is via the two state solution and we urge both parties to return to negotiations.
	Israel's Declaration of Independence guarantees freedom of religion for all Israel's inhabitants. However, we remain deeply concerned about restrictions on freedom of movement between the west bank and east Jerusalem. It remains difficult for Palestinians to enter east Jerusalem for work, education, medical treatment or religious worship. We have lobbied the Israelis hard on the issue of movement and access.

North Africa: Politics and Government

Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he had with his US counterpart on North Africa and the Middle East prior to President Obama's speech on that subject.

William Hague: I have been in regular contact with Secretary Clinton on a range of issues, including the situation in the Middle East and North Africa, before and since President Obama's speech.

Piracy: EU Action

John Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 14 June 2011, Official Report, column 618W, when he expects to (a) publish and (b) implement the EU operational plan to counter piracy.

Henry Bellingham: It would not be appropriate to publish classified operational plans, nor military tactics for counter-piracy operations.
	The amendments to the EU operation plan enabling a range of additional actions to be taken against pirates have entered into force, and will be implemented when military commanders judge they will have the greatest impact on pirate operations.

Prisoners

Roger Gale: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many British citizens he estimates had been held without trial for more than 12 months in countries that are member states of the Council of Europe in the latest period for which figures are available; and what steps he is taking to expedite the trial or release of such prisoners.

Jeremy Browne: We are unable to estimate the number of British citizens who have been held without trial for more than 12 months in countries that are member states of the Council of Europe. Estimating this figure would prove prohibitively expensive. Supporting British nationals in difficulty around the world is a vital part of the work of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. We will consider approaching the local authorities if the trial of a British national does not follow internationally recognised standards for a fair trial or is unreasonably delayed compared to local cases. This support is explained in our publication “Support for British nationals abroad: A guide”.

Somalia: Refugees

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on the numbers of Somali refugees arriving at the Dadaab refugee camp in Kenya; and if he will make a statement.

Henry Bellingham: According to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) there are now more than 394,000 Somali refugees in Kenya and new arrivals have accelerated to 1,300 a day over the last two weeks. Last year the Department for International Development provided £2 million to UNHCR to meet the basic relief needs of 20,000 refugees during 2010 and 2011. We are deeply concerned about the deteriorating humanitarian situation and have offered further support to UNHCR. Dadaab is heavily congested and the conditions for many new arrivals is unacceptable. The British Government have urged the Government of Kenya, including at ministerial level, to urgently make more space available for the camp population, and will continue to do so.

Somalia: Refugees

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of access to humanitarian aid for refugees from South Somalia; and if he will make a statement.

Andrew Mitchell: I have been asked to reply.
	In 2010, Somali refugees were generally able to access an adequate level and quality of basic humanitarian aid in Kenya and Ethiopia, although Dadaab refugee camp in Kenya had become very congested. However, the increased number of refugees fleeing from South Somalia in 2011 is straining the capacity of the camps, authorities and humanitarian agencies to respond adequately.
	The UK Government provided £2 million in Kenya to meet the basic relief needs of 20,000 refugees in 2010-11. In Ethiopia, DFID (with other donors) is providing support to the refugee camps through a pooled humanitarian fund. In 2010-11, the fund provided around £1.5 million for water and nutrition interventions. Given the deteriorating situation, my Department is working with other donors to support humanitarian agencies in scaling up their response and ensure new refugees have greater access to basic services, including water, health, nutrition, food and shelter. We also continue to press the Government of Kenya on the need to allocate more space for refugee camps, and already have an existing and growing programme of humanitarian assistance in the areas of Somalia the refugees are fleeing from.

Sudan: Politics and Government

Margaret Ritchie: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his policy is on the renewal of public consultations on the constitutional future of the South Kordofan region in Sudan.

Henry Bellingham: The African Union High Level Implementation Panel-facilitated talks in Addis Ababa have resulted in framework agreements on Southern Kordofan, Abyei and border monitoring. I commend the parties for coming together and setting this first milestone. However, much more needs to be done. The Framework Agreement on Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile provides for the completion of the popular consultation process that formed a part of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement. However, for civilians to take part in consultations and talks on their own future, they must have freedom of movement and speech so they can participate fully and freely. As this is not the case at the moment, I urge all sides to create an environment where public consultations can be frank and without intimidation.

Sudan: Violence

Margaret Ritchie: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent reports he has received of violence in the South Kordofan region of Sudan; and what discussions he has had with the UN regarding the protection of residents of the South Kordofan region after 9 July 2011.

Henry Bellingham: Recent reports suggest that violence is continuing in many parts of Southern Kordofan. There are reports of aerial attacks by Sudanese armed forces; of abuses against civilians carried out by soldiers from both sides; and of civilians being caught up in the violence. The UK condemns the ongoing violence and calls on all parties to cease hostilities immediately. The recent framework agreement on Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile is a step in the right direction but must lead to a ceasefire without delay, so that humanitarian aid can reach those in need, and talks on the future of Southern Kordofan can take place without continuing violence.
	We are actively involved in discussions with the UN about its future presence in Sudan and South Sudan. We are encouraging the Government of Sudan to allow the UN mission in Sudan (UNMIS) to remain in Southern Kordofan after 9 July, so that it can continue to protect civilians caught up in the conflict. We are pressing the UN to ensure that, should the Government of Sudan require UNMIS to leave on 9 July, all possible arrangements are made to ensure continuity of humanitarian assistance.

Syria: Politics and Government

Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has discussed with his Syrian counterpart allegations of intimidation of protestors outside the Syrian embassy in London.

William Hague: I refer the right hon. Member to my statement to the House on 29 June 2011, Official Report, columns 964-65.

Syria: Sanctions

Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the effectiveness of sanctions on Syria.

William Hague: The EU restrictive measures impose an asset freeze and travel ban on 30 individuals (including President Assad) and an asset freeze on four entities. They are targeted against those persons responsible for violence and repression against the civilian population in Syria, and their associates. The EU measures also include an arms embargo and restrictions on the supply of equipment which might be used for internal repression. We judge that the sanctions have been effective in targeting key members of the Syrian regime and their associates. These measures will continue to apply so long as the individuals and entities listed continue to meet the criteria.

WORK AND PENSIONS

Atos

Anne Begg: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the (a) role and (b) function is of the Independent Tier dealing with individual complaints against work contracted to Atos by his Department; and which organisation carries out the work of the Independent Tier.

Chris Grayling: The information requested is as follows:
	(a) The role of the Independent Tier is to challenge the robustness of Atos Origin Health Care’s handling of medical service assessment complaints.
	(b) The function of the Independent Tier is an impartial invigilator of Atos Origin Health Care’s processes for dealing with medical assessment complaints.
	The details of the private company Atos Healthcare appointed to investigate the handling of complaints is not divulged to any third party to ensure continued independence. Atos Origin Health Care are bound by the recommendations of the Independent Tier.

Departmental Billing

John Denham: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many invoices received by his Department have been paid (a) on time and (b) late in each month since May 2010; and what the monetary value is of the invoices paid late.

Chris Grayling: The information requested is in the following tables:
	
		
			 Number of invoices paid on time 
			  5 days 10 days 30 days Total 
			 2010     
			 May 61,386 70,476 71,991 72,576 
			 June 55,856 64,773 65,610 66,325 
			 July 57,921 68,335 69,655 70.248 
			 August 47,693 57,503 58,763 59,052 
			 September 57,110 65,497 67,078 67,440 
			 October 59,383 67,377 68,053 68,378 
			 November 62,008 68,970 70,340 70,696 
			 December 52,418 59,721 60,877 61,167 
			      
			 2011     
			 January 48,416 53,400 54,271 54,538 
			 February 50,131 56,534 58,314 58,634 
			 March 57,630 66,516 67,114 67,444 
			 April 45,973 53,144 53,704 53,986 
			 May 48,611 55,684 56,329 56,618 
			      
			  704,536 807,930 822,099 827,102 
		
	
	
		
			 Number of invoices paid late 
			  5 days 10 days 30 days 
			 2010    
			 May 11,190 2,100 585 
			 June 10,469 1,552 715 
			 July 12,327 1,913 593 
			 August 11,359 1,549 289 
			 September 10,330 1,943 362 
			 October 8,995 1,001 325 
			 November 8,688 1,726 356 
			 December 8,749 1,446 290 
			     
			 2011    
			 January 6,122 1,138 267 
			 February 7,270 885 313 
			 March 9,814 928 330 
			 April 8,013 842 282 
			 May 8,007 934 289 
			     
			 Total 121,333 17,957 4,996 
		
	
	
		
			 Value of late invoices 
			 £ 
			  5  days 10  days 30  days 
			 2010 66,405,464.52 7,716,585.29 3,120,894.75 
			 May 204,880,936.77 164,612,853.74 1,787,253.39 
			 June 252,413,771.22 162,671,803.68 1,403,235.04 
			 July 168,254,486.46 78,253,262.82 3,593,547.37 
			 August 173,877,420.21 73,496,991.25 1,652,027.10 
			 September 110,883,627.38 11,855,081.52 4,024,819.31 
			 October 100,991,782.54 16,464,965.64 1,493,797.90 
			 November 141,874,093.39 77,859,176.08 5,716,211.84 
			 December    
			     
			 2011    
			 January 161,895,174.20 77,039,588.26 5,071,085.31 
			 February 90,330,910.76 21,350,902.67 4,629,347.14 
			 March 96,866,380.78 7,962,424.45 1,940,446.36 
			 April 95,647,915.72 12,859,121.08 4,266,330.48 
		
	
	
		
			 May 113,370,684.34 68,340,672.59 8,532,262.09 
			     
			 Total 1,777,692,648.29 780,483,429.07 47,231,258.08

Departmental Billing

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what proportion of invoices from small and medium-sized businesses were paid by his Department within five working days of receipt in the last 12 months for which figures are available.

Chris Grayling: The Department does not currently record and publish information about the size of suppliers as this does not fully reflect the number and size of businesses engaged in supplying goods and services. We do not discriminate by size of business because many SMEs can be found within larger supply chains.
	The percentage of all supplier payments made within five days of receipt of an invoice for the last 12 months are:
	
		
			  Five   days of receipt (  percentage  ) 
			 2010  
			 June 84 
			 July 82 
			 August 81 
			 September 85 
			 October 87 
			 November 88 
			 December 86 
			 2011  
			 January 89 
			 February 86 
			 March 85 
			 April 85 
			 May 86 
		
	
	The Department is therefore compliant with the Government's Prompt Payment Code target of 80% within five days of receipt.
	The Department for Work and Pensions became a signatory to the Prompt Payment Code in March 2009 and set a target to pay 80% of correct invoices within five days of receipt. The Department also monitors payment within 10 days of receipt under the Prompt Payment Code which is as follows:
	
		
			  10 days of receipt (percentage) 
			 2010  
			 June 98 
			 July 97 
			 August 97 
			 September 97 
			 October 99 
			 November 98 
			 December 98 
			 2011  
			 January 98 
			 February 96 
			 March 99 
			 April 98 
			 May 98

Departmental Carbon Emissions

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether his Department has any plans to generate low-carbon energy from its estate.

Chris Grayling: The Department has in place a Carbon Management Plan, developed in conjunction with the Carbon Trust, setting out our plans to reduce our carbon emissions by 25% by 2015.
	While we currently have no plans to generate low carbon energy we are engaging with all our suppliers to deliver the aims of this plan including working with our estates private finance initiative partner to deliver ambitious spend-to-save projects across the estate, which make best use of emerging low carbon technologies to reduce our carbon emissions.
	For example, a Salix funded Combined Heat and Power (CHP) plant was installed at the Department's Quarry House headquarters building in Leeds at the end of 2010. It is fuelled by natural gas and is classified as ‘low-carbon' technology. Initial indications are that performance is exceeding the estimated saving of £90,000 and 428tCO2 a year.

Departmental Freedom of Information

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many requests under the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 his Department received from (a) hon. Members from each political party and (b) members of the public in each year since the Act's entry into force.

Chris Grayling: The Ministry of Justice publishes annual reports containing statistical information on freedom of information requests received by monitored bodies, including central Government Departments. The annual report for 2010, including the quarter four summary, was published on 28 April 2011.
	This report can be found at the following address:
	http://www.justice.gov.uk/downloads/publications/statistics-and-data/mojstats/2010%20Annual%20and%20Q4%20FOI%20bulletin%20vfinal.pdf
	This report includes statistics on the number of non-routine requests received by this Department in 2010 and the initial outcomes of these requests. All other quarterly reports for 2010 and the annual statistics from 2005 can be found at the following address:
	http://www.justice.gov.uk/publications/statistics-and-data/foi/implementation.htm
	The Freedom of Information Act is applicant and motive blind and therefore it is not necessary to record or determine whether a requestor is a Member of Parliament or member of the public.
	However, the Department holds central records identifying a Member of Parliament as a requester (but not their political party) from 2007 onwards. These figures may not represent all freedom of information requests from Members of Parliament since only those that are clearly stated as being from a Member of Parliament or their researcher are recorded. The figures may include Members of the House of Lords, Members of the Scottish Parliament and Welsh Assembly Members. The figures are in the following table.
	
		
			 FOI requests from MPs 
			  Number 
			 2007 17 
			 2008 38 
			 2009 75 
			 2010 45 
			 2011 (up to 31 March 2011) 2

Employment

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many and what proportion of (a) men and (b) women of working age were employed in (i) full-time jobs and (ii) part-time jobs in (A) each parliamentary constituency and (B) each local authority area in each of the last five years.

Nick Hurd: I have been asked to reply.
	The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated July 2011
	As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking how many and what proportion of (a) men and (b) women of working age were employed in (i) full-time jobs and (ii) part-time jobs in (A) each parliamentary constituency and (B) each local authority area in each of the last five years. (064107)
	The Office for National Statistics (ONS) estimates the number of people employed full-time and part-time for local areas from the Annual Population Survey.
	Tables 1 to 8, contain the numbers and proportions of full-time and part-time jobs for men and women in each parliamentary constituency and local authority. Each table contains estimates from January-December 2006 to January-December 2010, which is the latest period available. As the information requested is quite extensive, a copy has been placed in the House of Commons Library.
	National and local area estimates for many labour market statistics, including employment, unemployment and claimant count are available on the NOMIS website at
	http://www.nomisweb.co.uk

Employment: Dartford

Gareth Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people aged between 16 and 64 years were not in education, employment or training in Dartford constituency in the latest period for which figures are available.

Chris Grayling: In the year to December 2010 the number of people aged 16-64 in Dartford constituency who were not in education, employment or training averaged around 15,000.

Industrial Health and Safety: Asbestos

Simon Danczuk: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what his policy is on work-related illnesses caused by asbestos.

Chris Grayling: The Government take the effect of asbestos on workers' health extremely seriously. The Health and Safety Executive pursue an energetic prevention agenda with regard to asbestos, and the Department for Work and Pensions provide a range of benefits and payments for those with disabling conditions caused by asbestos where payment depends on the circumstances of each case. In addition, the Government continue to have discussions with stakeholder organisations on options to improve the compensation arrangements for people who have mesothelioma but are unable to obtain payments through their employer's insurance arrangements.

Industrial Health and Safety: Prosecutions

Fiona Mactaggart: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many employers with fewer than two employees have been subject to criminal prosecution under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 in each of the last five years.

Chris Grayling: HSE does not hold prosecution data at this level of detail.

TREASURY

Carbon Emissions: Northern Ireland

Margaret Ritchie: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his policy is on an exemption from carbon price support for energy and electricity generators in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement.

Justine Greening: An exemption for supplies of fossil fuels made to generators in Northern Ireland would likely be considered a state aid under European law. However, the Government are actively working with the relevant authorities in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland to assess the potential impacts of the carbon price floor on the single electricity market.

Council Tax: Rates and Rating

Natascha Engel: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received on the Valuation Office Agency's policy on assessment of the rateable value of domestic properties.

David Gauke: No such representations have been received. Rateable values are no longer assessed for domestic properties; these are now subject to council tax. Policy responsibility for council tax rests with the Department for Communities and Local Government.

Council Tax: Rates and Rating

Natascha Engel: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many payments the Valuation Office Agency has (a) made and (b) approved arising from retrospective reassessment of domestic property valuations for council tax purposes in the latest period for which figures are available.

David Gauke: Payments made by the Valuation Office Agency are ex gratia payments under its complaints code of practice, ‘Putting things right for you', in cases where it has caused a serious error or delay in altering the council tax band of a property.
	For the financial year 1 April 2010 to 31 March 2011, the VOA (a) made and (b) approved payments reflecting lost interest on overpaid council tax in 14 cases.

Domestic Rates: Appeals

Natascha Engel: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many appeals the Valuation Office Agency has received against domestic rate valuations in each (a) region, (b) local authority area and (c) parliamentary constituency in each of the last 20 years.

David Gauke: The Valuation Office Agency no longer has a role in uses made of domestic rateable values. The council tax valuation lists represent the current system in operation therefore statistics have been provided on these lists.
	Tables showing the number of valid proposals and appeals received by the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) against the council tax valuation lists in each region and local authority area of England and Wales for all years of the lists have been placed in the Library.
	Statistics broken down by parliamentary constituency can be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Enterprise Zones

Dan Jarvis: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the effect of the trends in gross domestic product in the first quarter of 2011 on his Department's policy on enterprise zones.

Justine Greening: The Government are working with local enterprise partnerships to maximise the economic impact of enterprise zones by supporting opportunities for real growth identified by local partners. The Government will ensure that an appropriate framework is put in place to measure the impact of enterprise zones.
	The costing for the enterprise zones measure is set out at page 20 of the Budget 2011 policy costings, published alongside the Budget:
	http://cdn.hm-treasury.gov.uk/2011budget_policycostings.pdf
	Chapter 1 of the document explains which effects are included in the policy costings and how the costings fit into the OBR's forecasts.

Freezing Orders: Syria

Anas Sarwar: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what amounts have been seized in the UK under the provisions of the Syria (Asset-Freezing) Regulations 2011 (S.I., 2011, No. 1244); and which financial institution was involved in each case.

Mark Hoban: The total sum frozen under the Syria (Asset-Freezing) Regulations 2011 is approximately £11 million. The regulations require that funds belonging to designated persons are frozen—they do not provide for the seizure or confiscation of assets.
	For reasons of confidentiality, I am unable to disclose the names of the financial institutions involved in each case.

Hydrogen

Steven Baker: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will take steps to ensure that hydrogen is subject to the same fiscal measures as other alternative fuels for road transport.

Justine Greening: When used in an internal combustion engine as fuel for a road vehicle hydrogen is taxed at the rate for road fuel gases other than natural gas of 31.61 pence per kilogram. Excise duty does not apply when hydrogen is used in a fuel cell to produce electricity to power a road vehicle.

Loans: Republic of Ireland

Mark Reckless: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has given any consideration to changing the interest rate on the UK's bilateral loan to Ireland.

Mark Hoban: The Government have not received a formal request to reopen the terms of the bilateral loan agreement.

Members: Correspondence

Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  when he plans to reply to the letter of 16 May 2011 from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Ms Ruth Todhunter;
	(2)  when he plans to reply to the letter of 12 May 2011 from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Mr Stephen Pennells.

Mark Hoban: As the situation remained the same Treasury officials reissued, on 13 June 2011, my 1 December Dear Colleague letters which set out the Government's overall position on the agricultural derivatives market.

Revenue and Customs: Leicester

Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what guidance has been issued to staff in the Leicester office of HM Revenue and Customs working in high risk renewals on dealing with self-assessment tax credit claims received by post.

David Gauke: HM Revenue and Customs has staff in various locations handling high risk tax credits renewal work. Those staff have a bespoke process for reviewing cases that have been triggered through the application of system risk rules. The process enables those staff to determine whether further inquiries are appropriate or if the tax credits award can proceed without further intervention.
	It also prescribes the timescales for making those further inquiries and the time given for claimants to respond.
	Tax credits compliance guidance is published on the HM Revenue and Customs website at:
	www.hmrc.gov.uk/manuals/ccmmanual/index.htm

Taxation: Self-Assessment

Alun Cairns: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will review the policy of HM Revenue and Customs on fixed penalty charges for late submission of self assessment tax returns arising from bad weather; and if he will make a statement.

David Gauke: holding answer 30 June 2011
	The purpose of penalties is to encourage taxpayers to meet their obligations and to reassure those who do comply that they will not be disadvantaged by those who do not. If a taxpayer is unable to meet an obligation, such as filing a return by the due date, because of circumstances beyond his control, he can ask HMRC to accept that he has a reasonable excuse for the failure and cancel the penalty.
	HMRC has contingency plans to deal with problems that could arise close to filing dates. These plans include consideration of possible wide application of reasonable excuse, if something happens of such seriousness and on such a scale that a large number of taxpayers are prevented from filing their returns on time when they otherwise would have done.

VAT: Technology

Stephen Mosley: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will consider the merits of reducing to five per cent. the rate of VAT charged on voltage optimisation products.

David Gauke: The Government keep all taxes under review and considers proposals for new reliefs carefully, but the financial position we inherited means we must give priority to maintaining our fiscal base.

HOME DEPARTMENT

Asylum: Deportation

Julie Elliott: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 28 June 2011, Official Report, column 676W, on asylum: deportation, what the ages were of those people who were removed; how many were part of a family unit; and how many were removed under force.

Damian Green: Of the 14 removals previously identified the ages of these individuals at time of removal were five, 21, 27, 29, 31, 31, 32, 32, 34, 36, 40, 43, 46, 48.
	Two of the above individuals are part of the same family unit i.e. a parent and child under 16, who chose to return voluntarily.
	Eight of the above individuals were enforced removals from the United Kingdom.

British Nationality: Dartford

Gareth Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people resident in Dartford constituency were granted British citizenship in each year since 2005.

Damian Green: The data requested are shown in the following table:
	
		
			  Constituency residents granted British citizenship 
			 2005-06 136 
			 2006-07 242 
			 2007-08 197 
			 2008-09 182 
			 2009-10 274 
			 2010-11 297 
			 Grand total 1,328 
		
	
	All figures quoted are internal management information only and are subject to change. This information has not been quality assured under National Statistics protocols.

British Nationality: Bexley

David Evennett: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people resident in Bexleyheath and Crayford constituency were granted British citizenship in each year since 2005.

Damian Green: The data requested are shown in the following table:
	
		
			  Constituency residents granted British citizenship 
			 2005-06 169 
			 2006-07 167 
			 2007-08 208 
			 2008-09 175 
			 2009-10 261 
			 2010-11 259 
			 Grand total 1,239 
		
	
	All figures quoted are internal management information only and are subject to change. This information has not been quality assured under National Statistics protocols.

Counter-terrorism: Leicester

Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department with reference to her Department's Prevent Strategy, what criteria she used to identify Leicester as a priority area.

James Brokenshire: The revised Prevent strategy introduced a new prioritisation process that no longer relies on simple demographics. The new process aggregates a range of information and policing indicators of terrorist activity to identify the areas where Prevent work is most needed. There are currently 25 priority areas, which include Leicester, and these each receive dedicated resources and support. The designation of an area as a priority will be regularly reviewed by the Office for Security and Counter Terrorism (OSCT).

Demonstrations: Embassies

Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment she has made of allegations of intimidation of individuals protesting outside the embassy of (a) Bahrain and (b) Syria.

Nick Herbert: The policing of demonstrations outside embassies is an operational matter for the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS). No formal complaints of intimidation of individuals protesting outside the embassy of Bahrain or Syria have been made to the police.

Departmental Billing

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of invoices from small and medium-sized businesses were paid by her Department within five working days of receipt in the last 12 months for which figures are available.

Damian Green: For the period from June 2010 to May 2011 the Home Department paid 85% of compliant invoices from small and medium-sized businesses within five working days of receipt of invoice.

Departmental Freedom of Information

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many requests under the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 her Department received from (a) hon. Members from each political party and (b) members of the public in each year since the Act's entry into force.

Lynne Featherstone: As a public access regime the Freedom of Information Act 2000 is intended to be applicant blind with regard to the identity or motives of those seeking information from a public body. The Home Office does not require that requestors under the Act provide information as to their organisational or political affiliation and accordingly the information the Member is seeking is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. Statistics are available however for the total number of requests received by the Department each year since 2005.
	These are set out in the following table.
	
		
			 Freedom of Information requests received by the Home Office 2005-11  (1) 
			  Number of requests received 
			 2005 1,970 
			 2006 2,861 
			 2007 2,269 
			 2008 1,998 
			 2009 2,492 
			 2010 3,069 
			 2011 1,636 
			 (1 )Statistics on FOI activity and performance are published quarterly on the Ministry of Justice website. Note: Figures for 2011 are for the six months to 29 June only.

Offenders: Foreign Nationals

Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 28 June 2011, Official Report, columns 685-6W, on offenders: foreign nationals, how many foreign national prisoners were removed from the UK in each of the last five years; what each prisoner's country of origin was; which country they were returned to; and what the offences were for which they were imprisoned.

Damian Green: The following table shows the published figures for number of foreign nationals removed or deported from the UK. Please note that the data for 2006 are not considered to be reliable for publication.
	
		
			  Number of foreign nationals removed or deported from the UK 
			 2007 4,200 
			 2008 5,400 
			 2009 5,530 
			 2010 5,235 
		
	
	We do not disclose data on those removed to specific countries as it would jeopardise our diplomatic relations.
	In 2009 and 2010 the UK Border Agency removed or deported 10,765 foreign national prisoners from the UK. The written updates provided by the chief executive of the UK Border Agency to the Home Affairs Committee confirm that the criminals removed in these two years included almost 120 individuals found guilty of murder, attempted murder or causing death, over 650 sex offenders and around 3,050 drug offenders. Of the drug offenders removed, over 1,650 were convicted of the production or supply of drugs, around 550 were convicted of possession with intent to supply, and around 800 were convicted of the importation of drugs. The remaining individuals had received convictions for a range of more than 70 offences including violent crimes, robbery, fraud and document offences.

Domestic Violence

Alun Cairns: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate she has made of the proportion of domestic violence offences that are reported to the police.

Lynne Featherstone: holding answer 4 July 2011
	The British Crime survey (BCS) provides estimates on the proportion of domestic violence incidents reported to the police. The survey has two measures: one collected in the context of a face-to-face interview and a second based on answers to a self-completion questionnaire.
	The measure of domestic violence included in the main BCS relates to any physical assault by a partner or ex-partner, relative or household member. The most recently published figure from the 2009-10 BCS shows that 41% of such incidents were reported to the police. It is known that incidents of domestic violence are under-estimated as some victims may not be willing to disclose their victimisation in the context of a face-to-face interview.
	The self-completion module provides more privacy to respondents and is thought to yield greater disclosure by victims. The self-completion section provides a measure of “partner abuse” which is broader and covers physical force, non-physical emotional or financial abuse or threats to hurt the respondent or someone close to them carried out by a current or former partner. The latest estimate from the 2008-09 BCS, shows that 16% of victims of partner abuse reported the incident to the police.
	This reporting figure is lower that that for the main domestic violence measure and is thought to partly reflect the wider measure of abuse that it includes. It may also be that victims who are willing to disclose victimisation to an interviewer are more likely to report incidents to the police.

Entry Clearances: Diplomatic Service

Chris Bryant: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  how many diplomatic visas have been granted for staff at the embassies of (a) the Russian Federation, (b) Azerbaijan, (c) Ukraine, (d) Belarus and (e) Kazakhstan in the last five years;
	(2)  how many staff entered the UK on diplomatic visas for the purpose of undertaking domestic work in embassies in the latest period for which figures are available;
	(3)  how many diplomatic visas have been granted for staff at the embassies of (a) the United Arab Emirates, (b) Syria, (c) Bahrain and (d) Kenya in the last five years.

Damian Green: holding answer 4 July 2011
	The number of diplomatic visas issued in the last five years to nationals of each of the countries specified by the hon. Member is shown in the following table:
	
		
			 Diplomatic visas issued 2006-10 
			 Nationality Visas issued 
			 Russia 817 
			 Azerbaijan 59 
			 Ukraine 221 
			 Belarus 75 
			 Kazakhstan 197 
		
	
	
		
			 United Arab Emirates 533 
			 Syria 78 
			 Bahrain 39 
			 Kenya 162 
		
	
	Since the introduction of Tier 5 of the points-based system for temporary workers on 27 November 2008, non-EEA nationals seeking entry as private servants in diplomatic households have been required to apply under the Tier 5 international agreement sub-category. It is not possible to distinguish such applicants from others applying under the international agreement sub-category from central records and the information required could be obtained only by checking individual records at disproportionate cost.

Foreign Workers: EU Nationals

Anne Main: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 29 June 2011, Official Report, column 861W, on foreign workers: EU nationals, on what date she asked the Migration Advisory Committee to review the labour market case; what the terms of reference of the review are; which (a) individuals and (b) bodies were invited to respond to the review; for what reason a formal call for evidence was not issued; how the Committee has advertised that it will accept written views from any interested party; what the closing date is for the receipt of written submissions; how the review question was formulated; what her definition is of serious disturbance; how many representations on the review the Committee has received; by whom such representations were made; when she plans to publish the outcomes of the review; and if she will make a statement.

Damian Green: On 3 June the Secretary of State for the Home Department wrote to the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC), asking:
	“Is there a serious disturbance, or threat of such a disturbance, to the UK labour market and would maintaining the existing restrictions on Bulgarian and Romanian nationals' access to the labour market assist in addressing any such disturbance or threat?”
	The Government have not prescribed to the MAC how it should carry out the review, who should be invited to respond, or defined what is a serious disturbance of the labour market.
	The MAC will set out in its final report what representations it received and from whom. The MAC will submit this report to Government by October 2011 and publish it around the same time.

Foreign Workers: EU Nationals

Anne Main: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 29 June 2011, Official Report, column 861W, on foreign workers: EU nationals, what discussions she has had with (a) ministerial colleagues and (b) the private sector on the labour market case.

Damian Green: The Government have asked the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) to advise on this issue. Ministers will discuss the labour market case once they have received the MAC's report.

Foreign Workers: EU Nationals

Anne Main: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 29 June 2011, Official Report, column 861W, on foreign workers: EU nationals, what the current status is of (a) Bulgarian and (b) Romanian nationals who access the UK job market.

Damian Green: Bulgarian and Romanian nationals who wish to take up jobs in the UK, and do not fall into an exempt category, must apply to the UK Border Agency for authorisation to work.

Heroin: Misuse

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Health on the potential of naloxone to reduce deaths caused by heroin overdose; and if she will make a statement.

James Brokenshire: The drug strategy which we published in December 2010 highlighted the importance of reducing drug related deaths. I agreed with the Under-Secretary of State for Health, the hon. Member for Guildford (Anne Milton) that the Action Plan for 2011-12 for the National Treatment Agency for Substance Misuse (NTA) should include publishing a report into the pilot schemes to train carers and family members to use naloxone to prevent overdose deaths.

Immigrants: English Language

Fabian Hamilton: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for what reason the tendering process for English language tests for spouses, students and tiers 1 and 2 permit holders was administered by her Department rather than Ofqual.

Damian Green: Secure English language testing was introduced to ensure that migrants wishing to come to, or remain in, the United Kingdom in certain categories have reached a certain standard in English. The UK Border Agency is responsible for ensuring that the tests taken both in the UK and abroad are secure, properly verified and of an appropriate standard. Ofqual's primary function is limited to the regulation of qualifications and assessments in England and Northern Ireland.

Immigrants: English Language

Fabian Hamilton: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which body is responsible for the regulation of English language test centres for immigrants; and what the length of contract is for each approved test provider.

Damian Green: The providers of secure English language testing work under licence to the UK Border Agency, and the licences run for a minimum of three years. The UK Border Agency monitors the performance of the providers and will work with them to resolve any issues or concerns. If necessary the UK Border Agency can remove the provider from the approved list.

Immigration

James Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people have immigrated to the UK who were not UK citizens or citizens of another EU member state in (a) each year since 2009 and (b) each of the last eight quarters for which figures are available.

Nick Hurd: I have been asked to reply.
	The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated July 2011
	As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking how many people have immigrated to the UK who were not UK citizens or citizens of another EU member state in (a) Each year since 2009; and (b) Each of the last eight quarters for which figures are available (63715).
	The number of non EU citizens who immigrated long term to the UK in 2009 is estimated to be 303,000. Provisional estimates for 2010 will be published on 25 August 2011.
	The attached table shows estimates of long-term migration by non-EU citizens for each quarter from Dec 08 to Sept 10. These data are based upon the International Passenger Survey.
	These estimates are of numbers of moves each year rather than numbers of people. For instance, an individual could enter in one year, leave just over a year later and then enter again a year after that. They would appear three times in this table. Short-term migrants (i.e. those entering or leaving the UK for less than twelve months) are not included in the long-term migration estimates.
	
		
			 Long-term international migration estimates from International Passenger Survey: i  mmigration of n  on EU   c  itizens to the UK 2008 q4 to 2010 q3, United Kingdom 
			 thousand 
			  Estimate SE (%) 
			 2008 Q4 55 8 
			 2009 Q1 48 8 
			 2009 Q2 46 8 
			 2009 Q3 124 5 
			 2009 Q4 74 6 
			 2010 Q1(1) 65 5 
			 2010 Q2(1) 40 6 
			 2010 Q3(1) 121 1 
			 (1) Data for 2010 are provisional. Note: Standard error percentages (SE%) indicate the robustness of each estimate. A migration figure with a standard error of >25% is not considered to be reliable. For any given estimate there is a 95% probability that the true figure lies in the range; estimate +/- 0.0196 x estimate x standard error %.

Knives: Crime

Yvette Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which organisations have received funding from her Department for the purpose of preventing knife crime since January 2011.

Theresa May: holding answer 23 June 2011
	In 2010-11 the Home Office made funding available to 143 voluntary and community organisations working to prevent young people's involvement in knife and gun crime. The Home Office also provided funding to the Prince's Trust who gave out 67 awards through the Ben Kinsella Fund in 2010-11.
	In 2011-12 the Home Office will be making funding available to voluntary and community organisations working to prevent young people's involvement in knife and gun crime though the Communities Against Gangs, Guns and Knives Fund. Money is also being made available to the Prince’s Trust fund to continue the Ben Kinsella Fund.

Metropolitan Police: Civilians

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent assessment she has made of civilianisation in the Metropolitan Police Service.

Nick Herbert: The mix of police officers and staff and how they are deployed are matters for the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Service and the Metropolitan Police Authority.

National Crime Agency

Yvette Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate she has made of the budget of the National Crime Agency in its first year of operation.

Theresa May: holding answer 28 June 2011
	The National Crime Agency Plan includes an estimate of the resources needed.

Organised Crime: British Nationality

Jo Swinson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people had (a) their citizenship removed and (b) an application for citizenship refused by the UK Border Agency following a request from the Serious Organised Crime Agency in each year since 2006.

Damian Green: Annual statistics on citizenship applications (including refusals) are available on the Home Office website.
	Section 56 of the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006 which relates to deprivation of British citizenship, came into force on 16 June 2006. The following statistics refer to all non conducive deprivation cases:
	In 2006 an order was issued against one individual.
	In 2007 an order was issued against one individual.
	In 2008 no orders were issued.
	In 2009 orders were issued against two individuals.
	In 2010 orders were issued against five individuals.
	To date, orders have been issued against four individuals in 2011.
	This information has been provided from local management information and is not a National Statistic. As such it should be treated as provisional and therefore subject to change.

Police

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate she has made of the additional time available for police officers to work as a result of reducing administrative requirements during the comprehensive spending review period.

Nick Herbert: This Government are clear that police should be focusing on police work and not paperwork. That is why on 9 May 2011 I announced a new package of policies that will cut police red tape and save up to 2.5 million police hours per year, the equivalent of 1,200 officer posts.

Police: Accountability

Yvette Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what submissions her Department received to its consultation on Police and Crime Commissioners which indicated support for her policy.

Theresa May: holding answer 27 June 2011
	The ‘Policing in the 21st century: reconnecting police and the people Summary of consultation responses and next steps' document listed all respondents. A copy is in the Library of the House.

Policing and Crime Act 2009

Denis MacShane: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) arrests, (b) prosecutions and (c) convictions there were under Section 14 of the Policing and Crime Act 2009 in (i) 2010 and (ii) 2011 to date.

Lynne Featherstone: Section 14 of the Policing and Crime Act 2009 added Section 53A(1) to the Sexual Offences Act 2003 which came into force in April 2010.
	Data provided by the Ministry of Justice on the number of persons proceeded against and found guilty at all courts, under Section 53A(1) of the Sexual Offences Act 2003 in England and Wales in 2010 (latest available) can be viewed in the table.
	Court proceedings data for 2011 will be available in the spring of 2012.
	Data on arrests under the Act are not collected centrally as reported information is not broken down to the level of detail required.
	
		
			 D  efendants proceeded against at magistrates court and found guilty at all courts, under Section 53A  (1)   of the Sexual Offences Act 2003, England and Wales, 2010  (2,3) 
			  Number 
			 Proceeded against 49 
			 Found guilty 43 
			 (1) Section 14 of the Policing and Crime Act 2009 added Section 53A(1) to the Sexual Offences Act 2003. Came into force on 1 April 2010. (2) The figures given in the table relate to persons for whom these offences were the principal offences for which they were dealt with. When a defendant has been found guilty of two or more offences it is the offence for which the heaviest penalty is imposed. Where the same disposal is imposed for two or more offences, the offence selected is the offence for which the statutory maximum penalty is the most severe. (3) Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used. Source: Justice Statistics Analytical Services—Ministry of Justice

Sexual Offences

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps she is taking to monitor repeat sex offenders who have been returned to the UK from overseas as a result of their UK citizenship.

Lynne Featherstone: holding answer 4 July 2011
	Where an individual (whether they be a UK citizen or a foreign national) has been convicted or cautioned for a sexual offence committed overseas the police can apply to the magistrates court to obtain a notification order in order to protect the public in the UK from any risk that they pose. Police may apply to the court for the order in relation to offenders living in, or intending to come to, the UK.
	A notification order will require an offender to comply with the notification requirements as set out within Part 2 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003 as if they had been convicted for an equivalent offence in the UK, including notifying their personal details to the police and notification of travel outside of the UK.
	Breach of a notification order carries a maximum penalty of five years’ imprisonment.

Stay Safe Campaign

Karen Lumley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if she will (a) examine and (b) consider the wider application of the Stay Safe campaign in Redditch.

Nick Herbert: The Stay Safe campaign in Redditch is run by West Mercia police. As a local initiative it is for local partners to examine and consider its use.

Terrorism: Foreign Nationals

James Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department with reference to the letter of 8 February 2011 from the then Minister of State for Security and Counter Terrorism to the Home Affairs Select Committee, what proportion of the individuals being investigated on suspicion of involvement in terrorism-related activity are foreign nationals; and how many such people have been granted or are seeking asylum or other forms of international protection.

James Brokenshire: I have nothing further to add to the letters of 8 February 2011 and 28 March 2011 from my noble Friend, the then Minister of State for Crime and Security to the Home Affairs Select Committee.

UK Border Agency: Correspondence

David Winnick: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the acting chief executive of the UK Border Agency plans to reply to the letter of 18 May 2011 from the hon. Member for Walsall North on a constituent, reference M1200891.

Damian Green: holding answer 23 June 2011
	The acting chief executive replied to the hon. Member on 21 June 2011.

CABINET OFFICE

Charity Commission: Manpower

Louise Ellman: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what assessment he has made of the potential effect of changes in staff numbers at the Charity Commission's office in Liverpool on the Commission's ability to deal with fraud.

Nick Hurd: The Charity Commission has confirmed that, following the restructuring in all four of its offices, not just Liverpool, its core role will be to continue to protect the public interest in the integrity of charity and thereby underpin and enhance public trust and confidence in charities. This includes taking appropriate action to deal with fraud and malpractice which it takes extremely seriously. As a risk-based regulator, the Commission will continue to intervene decisively in individual cases where the identified risk to public confidence is substantial and where it can have most impact. I am confident that the Commission can continue to be an effective regulator of charities in England and Wales within the resources allocated it.

Community Development

Chris Ruane: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office whether he is participating in volunteering schemes sponsored by his Department as part of the Big Society initiative.

Nick Hurd: All Government Ministers have pledged to undertake a ‘one day challenge’ with a charity or community group of their choosing. This is a clear and public commitment by Ministers to give their time to help others. The pledge aims to inspire others to consider how they might be able to support their communities to benefit themselves, as well as their chosen organisations.

EDUCATION

Capita

Tristram Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many contracts his Department has awarded to Capita since May 2010; and what the (a) monetary value and (b) net worth was of each contract.

Tim Loughton: There has been one main contract awarded to Capita since May 2010 which is for the managed delivery of the Teachers Pension Scheme. The contract is for seven years and was awarded to Capita on 24 March 2011 following a competitive procurement. It has a monetary value of £89.362 million for the period. The net present value of the contract is £80 million.

Further Education

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what steps his Department is taking to remove barriers to education for young people aged between 16 and 19 years who are not engaged with the education system; and if he will make a statement.

Tim Loughton: Attainment at age 16 is the most important factor in determining later participation in education and training. We have set out reforms to pre-16 education in the White Paper ‘The Importance of Teaching’ focused on raising attainment and preventing low achievement becoming an ongoing barrier to participation and success.
	There is a strong link between disadvantage and young people's likelihood of participating post-16 and the Pupil Premium will give schools extra funding to spend on interventions that support the attainment of disadvantaged pupils. For those young people facing financial barriers to education post-16, we have introduced a £180 million bursary scheme for 16 to 19-year-olds to provide better targeted financial support to those who need it.
	Local authorities have duties to provide sufficient suitable education and training places for young people aged 16 to 19, track their participation and provide targeted support to all those who are not in education, employment or training (NEET) to help them to re-engage. Local authorities will know best what type of support is needed to address the particular barriers that young people face in their area, and we are funding this through the Early Intervention Grant.

Pupils: Disadvantaged

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what proportion of children in each local authority area were (a) entitled to and (b) in receipt of free school meals in (i) 1997, (ii) 2009, (iii) 2010 and (iv) 2011; and if he will make a statement.

Nick Gibb: Information on the number of pupils eligible for and claiming free school meals as at January 2011 is published in tables 11a, 11b and 11c of the Statistical First Release ‘Schools, Pupils and their Characteristics, January 2011' available at:
	http://www.education.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s001012/index.shtml
	Information for January 2010 is published in tables 11a, 11b and 11c of the Statistical First Release ‘Schools, Pupils and their Characteristics: January 2010' available at:
	http://www.education.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s000925/index.shtml
	Information for January 2009 is published in tables 11a, 11b and 11c of the Statistical First Release ‘Schools, Pupils and their Characteristics: January 2009' available at:
	http://www.education.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s000843/index.shtml
	Information for January 1997 has been placed in the House Libraries.

DEFENCE

Afghanistan: Peacekeeping Operations

Jonathan Reynolds: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many and what types of helicopter mission were flown in Afghanistan in (a) 2010 and (b) 2011 to date.

Nick Harvey: The information is not held in the format requested.
	Helicopters are used in a wide variety of roles including movement of forces, re-supply, convoy overwatch, helicopter escort, reconnaissance and surveillance, battlefield communications, medical evacuation, close air support and strike operations.

Defence Business Services Organisation: Manpower

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will estimate the number of people who will be employed by his Department's Defence Business Services in (a) Scotland, (b) England, (c) Northern Ireland and (d) Wales in 2014.

Andrew Robathan: The Ministry of Defence does not at this stage have estimates of the number of people who will be employed by the Defence Business Services in Scotland, England, Northern Ireland and Wales in 2014.

Departmental Carbon Emissions

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether his Department has any plans to generate low-carbon energy from its estate.

Andrew Robathan: Low carbon energy is already generated on the defence estate utilising a number of technologies. These include biomass boilers, ground and air source heat pumps, solar photo voltaic panels, solar heating and small wind turbines.
	The Ministry of Defence will continue to exploit opportunities to generate low carbon energy on the defence estate where this is compatible with defence activities, environmental constraints and value for money in terms of cost and carbon emissions reductions.

Ex-servicemen: Military Decorations

David Evennett: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many veterans' badges his Department issued to recipients resident in London in the last 12 months for which figures are available.

Gareth Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Veterans' badges were issued by his Department in Dartford constituency in the last year for which figures are available.

Andrew Robathan: The information requested is not held in the format required to identify how many veterans' lapel badges have been issued in a specific area or region.
	As at 31 May 2011, however, 836,659 veterans' lapel badges have been recorded as being issued to former members of the armed forces and entitled dependants.

Gulf States: Royal Military Academy

Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 20 June 2011, Official Report, column 40W, on Gulf States: Royal Military Academy, how many officer cadets from each of the states bordering the Arabian Gulf are in training at the Academy.

Nick Harvey: The breakdown of officer cadets currently attending the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst from those states bordering the Arabian Gulf is as follows:
	
		
			  Number 
			 Bahrain 2 
			 Iraq 2 
			 Kuwait 3 
			 Oman 6 
			 Qatar 1 
			 Saudi Arabia 3 
			 UAE 8

Joint Strike Fighter Aircraft

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he has agreed the required legal and security arrangements with the US to enable deep maintenance of the Joint Combat Aircraft to take place in the UK.

Peter Luff: The UK's ability to undertake deep maintenance, repair and upgrade of its Joint Combat Aircraft fleet in the UK is a fundamental element of our operational sovereignty requirement, which has been secured through a US/UK bilateral supplement to the Joint Strike Fighter Memorandum of Understand signed by Ministers in December 2006.

Joint Strike Fighter Aircraft

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence at which Royal Air Force base the Joint Combat Aircraft will conduct field carrier landing practice.

Peter Luff: No decisions have yet been taken to determine from which Royal Air Force base the Joint Combat Aircraft will conduct its field carrier landing practice.

Libya: Armed Conflict

Madeleine Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many service personnel are based in accommodation in (a) Gioia del Colle, (b) Trapani, (c) Poggio Renatico and (d) Naples, Italy as part of Operation Ellamy.

Nick Harvey: The numbers of service personnel deployed to the main locations in Italy as at 29 June 2011 in support of Operation Ellamy are given in the following table.
	
		
			  Number of service personnel  (1) 
			 Gioia del Colle, Italy 550 
			 Trapani, Italy 150 
			 Poggio Renatico, Italy 50 
			 Naples, Italy 100 
			 (1) Rounded to the nearest 50 personnel. 
		
	
	The precise number of personnel overseas fluctuates on a daily basis for a variety of reasons, including temporary absence for training, evacuation for medical reasons, the roulement of forces, visits and a range of other factors. We do not, therefore, publish actual figures for personnel deployed.

Libya: Armed Conflict

David Crausby: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many airframe hours have been flown in RAF (a) Typhoon and (b) Tornado jets since the commencement of military operations over Libya.

Nick Harvey: I am withholding the information requested as its release would, or would be likely to, prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the armed forces.

Military Aircraft

Rehman Chishti: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many pilotless drones the Army possesses; and how many are deployed in conflict zones.

Nick Harvey: The Army currently possesses 310 remotely operated aircraft.
	I am withholding information on how many are deployed in conflict zones as this would, or would be likely to, prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the armed forces.

Military Aircraft

David Crausby: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the life expectancy in airframe hours is of (a) a RAF Typhoon and (b) a RAF Tornado jet.

Peter Luff: The fatigue life of the RAF Typhoon fleet is 6,000 flying hours per airframe which is sufficient to meet the planned out of service date (OSD) of 2030.
	The fatigue life of the RAF Tornado GR4 fleet is 7,000 flying hours per airframe, with a small number cleared to 7,500 flying hours. Fatigue testing is taking place with the expectation of verifying an increased fatigue life of 8,000 flying hours which would be sufficient to meet the planned OSD of 2021.

NATO

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what items have been procured through NATO's Maintenance and Supply Agency in the last 10 years; what the cost was of such items to the public purse; and which other countries shared in the contracts.

Gerald Howarth: This information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

NATO: Public Appointments

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence who represents the UK on the board of NATO's Maintenance and Supply Agency.

Gerald Howarth: The UK is represented on the NATO Maintenance and Supply Agency Board of Directors by the Head of Defence Logistic Operations at the Ministry of Defence.

Reserve Forces

Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the review of reserve forces will be published.

Andrew Robathan: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 12 May 2011, Official Report, column 1344W.

Strategic Defence and Security Review

Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which officials are working on his Department's continuous review of the strategic defence and security review.

Liam Fox: Progress against the commitments made in the strategic defence and security review (SDSR) are being driven by the Second Permanent Secretary and the Vice Chief of the Defence Staff as part of the transforming Defence programme. Delivery of the SDSR is one of the Ministry of Defence's main priorities encompassing a large number of programmes and initiatives with civilian and military posts across the Department involved in its implementation.

COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Affordable Housing

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the answer of 27 June 2011, Official Report, column 558W, on affordable housing, what the name is of each incentive available to registered providers to ensure that more (a) new and (b) existing housing stock is provided for low-paid working people under the Affordable Homes programme for 2011 to 2014; and if he will make a statement.

Grant Shapps: We invited offers from registered providers for funding from the Affordable Homes programme in February 2011, making clear that offers could consist of a variety of products as set out in the framework for the programme. Providers have submitted their offers to the Homes and Communities Agency who are currently assessing them.
	We are giving housing associations much more flexibility on rents and use of assets, so our aspiration is to deliver as many homes as possible through our investment and reforms.

Biofuels: Accidents

Barry Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what information he holds on the number of (a) fires and (b) explosions caused by the production of biodiesel in the latest period for which figures are available.

Bob Neill: Detailed records of incidents attended by Fire and Rescue Services since April 2009 are held centrally. These records provide no indication of any fires or explosions caused by biodiesel since April 2009.

Council Tax: Overpayments

Natascha Engel: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if he will estimate the monetary value of unclaimed (a) council tax payments and (b) lost interest on council tax payments on domestic properties which had their value reassessed retrospectively in the latest period for which figures are available.

Bob Neill: While the Department for Communities and Local Government publishes statistics on the amount of uncollected council tax, we do not collect information on the amounts of lost interest on council tax payments on domestic properties that had their value reassessed retrospectively.

Council Tax: Rates and Rating

Natascha Engel: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what criteria the Valuation Office Agency uses to differentiate between domestic and non-domestic properties.

Bob Neill: The definition of domestic property used by the Valuation Office Agency is prescribed in Section 66 of the Local Government Finance Act 1988. A property not meeting the criteria set out in Section 66 is considered non-domestic.

Departmental Carbon Emissions

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether his Department has any plans to generate low-carbon energy from its estate.

Bob Neill: The Department for Communities and Local Government will increasingly look to low carbon energy generation as a means of reducing its carbon emissions in the coming years. However, having reviewed the feasibility of installing on-site renewables on a number of its buildings, the Department found there was a range of more cost-effective options still available.
	The Department will continue to review its carbon reduction strategy to ensure that it is reducing its own emissions in line with the greening Government commitments in the most cost-efficient manner.
	In the last 12 months, a range of measures have been introduced to improve energy efficiency, leading to a £300,000 saving on the annual energy bill of the Department.

Departmental Freedom of Information

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many requests under the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 his Department received from (a) hon. Members from each political party and (b) members of the public in each year since the Act's entry into force.

Bob Neill: The Department for Communities and Local Government does not collect statistics about the background of individual requesters. This is because the Freedom of Information Act is applicant and motive blind and therefore it is not necessary to record or determine whether a requestor is a Member of Parliament or member of the public.
	Information about the numbers of requests for information this Department, or its predecessor Department, received and considered under the Freedom of Information Act is as follows:
	
		
			  Requests 
			 2005 917 
			 2006 665 
			 2007 556 
			 2008 704 
			 2009 840 
			 2010 938 
		
	
	The Ministry of Justice publishes quarterly and annual statistics on the volume, timeliness and outcome of information requests received by over 40 central Government bodies on its website:
	http://www.justice.gov.uk/publications/statistics-and-data/foi/implementation.htm

Departmental Internet

Andrew Griffiths: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much his Department spent on websites other than direct.gov and communities.gov.uk in (a) 2008-09 and (b) 2009-10; and what the (i) URL, (ii) setup costs and (iii) running costs were of each website.

Bob Neill: holding answer 20 June 2011
	The following sites are currently in operation by the Department:
	Info41ocal
	www.info4local.gov.uk
	The annual running costs for info4local are included in the costs of running the Department's website. These costs are fixed and the Department is contractually committed to all elements of the budget
	In 2008-09, the Department paid £446,124 for annual hosting charges, licensing, application support and maintenance and development across intranet, corporate site and info41ocal. In 2009-10, this figure was £445,169.
	Planning Portal
	www.planningportal.gov.uk
	In 2008-09, the Department paid £4,986,469 for the Portal service. This included staff costs, the Portal website and sales and marketing activity in support of e-planning.
	In 2009-10 the Department paid £8,482,287, for the Portal service, this included rebuilding the Portal website, sales and marketing activity in support of e-planning and staff.
	Intra Govt Geographical Info(closing July 2011)
	www.iggi.gov.uk
	In 2008-09, the Department paid £12,551 for annual hosting charges, licensing, application support and maintenance and development.
	In 2009-10, the Department paid £3,641.
	Data for Neighbourhood Renewal
	www.data4nr.net
	In 2008-09, the Department paid £37,000 for initial set up costs.
	Annual hosting charges, licensing, application support and maintenance for 2008-09 and 2009-10 were £9,996 a year.
	Websites closed by the Department
	The following table displays the websites closed during 2008-09 and 2009-10. For all closed websites the set-up and running costs were not required to be kept centrally. All sub-domains of the direct.gov and communities.gov.uk are not reflected in this answer.
	
		
			 Site name URL Closed during 
			 Exploring Innovation www.exploringinnovation.org.uk/ 2008-09 
			 Thames Gateway www.thamesgateway.gov.uk/ 2008-09 
			 Best Value Performance Indicators www.bvpi.gov.uk 2008-09 
			 Neighbourhood renewal unit www.neighbourhood.gov.uk 2008-09 
			 Supporting people knowledge website www.spkweb.org.uk 2009-10 
			 Local government pensions www.xoq83.dial.pipex.com 2009-10 
			 Cleaner safer greener www.cleanersafergreener.gov.uk 2008-09 
			 Firekills www.firekills.gov.uk 2008-09 
			 Firelink www.firelink.org.uk 2008-09 
			 National land use database www.nlud.org 2009-10 
			 Supporting people directory www.spdirectory.org.uk 2008-09 
			 Local directgov www.localdirect.gov.uk 2009-10 
			 Fire gateway www.fire.gov.uk 2009-10 
			 Tesa project www.tesaproject.co.uk/ 2009-10 
			 Be-Utd www.be-utd.org/ 2010-11 
			 FRS Online www.frsonline.fire.gov.uk 2008-09

Enterprise Zones

Gordon Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government which Government Department's officials will be responsible for assessing the second wave of Enterprise Zone bids.

Bob Neill: Officials from my own Department, together with officials from Her Majesty's Treasury and the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills will be responsible for assessing the second wave of Enterprise Zone bids. Officials from other Departments will also be asked to input into the assessment as necessary.

Enterprise Zones

Gordon Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether a shortlist of second wave Enterprise Zone bids will be prepared on a regional basis.

Bob Neill: We have no plans to prepare a shortlist of second wave Enterprise Zones on a regional basis.
	Local enterprise partnerships are a better reflection of England's economic geography than the arbitrary Government regions.

Enterprise Zones

Gordon Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what timetable has been set between the deadline for bids for the second wave of enterprise zones and the announcement of successful applicants.

Bob Neill: The closing date for the receipt of bids was 30 June 2011 and we intend to announce the winning bids this summer.

European Regional Development Fund

Andrew Griffiths: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government which organisations in receipt of funding from the European regional development fund have been required to make financial corrections for breaches of the rules of the fund in respect of publicity; what the name is of each project in respect of which a breach was identified; what the monetary value of each such project was; what the nature of the breach was; and what financial penalty or correction was imposed.

Bob Neill: holding answer 23 June 2011
	The information provided is for English programmes only; programmes in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales are managed by the devolved Administrations.
	It is important that taxpayers' money is spent properly, and there are audits and checks on programmes funded from the public purse.
	We have to operate existing ERDF programmes according to the regulations. However, the Government believe that the regulations should be focused on ensuring that ERDF meets its objective of promoting economic competitiveness. We will be arguing strongly with the Commission that in the next programme, penalties for things that do not contribute to this objective, such as failing to publicise the programme, should be swept away.
	The irony of the museum housing the Labour party's archives being fined for not flying the EU flag should not be lost on hon. Members.
	Breaches of ERDF European Commission Publicity Regulations
	2000-06 ERDF Programme
	There are no data available for programmes before 2000. The details requested for the 2000-06 ERDF programmes are provided in the following table.
	
		
			 Organisation Project title Project value (£) ERDF grant (£) Irregularity (£) Details 
			 Advantage West Midlands (Regional Development Agency) Marketing the Region 3,736,855 1,683,280 201,801 This project was to fund publicity material to promote the West Midlands to tourists and inward investors. In approx 2003 the then marketing consultants for AWM took the decision not to use the EU logo on the material to avoid having a confused brand image. They were unaware of the requirements of ERDF on publicity. This error was identified 2 years later, at which point AWM voluntarily withdrew this ERDF expenditure and repaid it. 
			       
			 Birmingham Chamber of Commerce PROF-IT 2,847,080 729,900 77,609 A corporate event run by the former Business Link Birmingham and Solihull, which was part funded by ERDF. Corporate branding was used for the event rather than any acknowledgement of the ERDF contribution. Therefore a flat rate penalty of 10% imposed and £77,609 was repaid. 
			       
			 Peterborough YMCA YMCA Red Triangle 340,709.18 170,354.59 1,325.00 Failure to display ERDF logo and include on publicity material. The amount of ineligible ERDF was borne by Peterborough City Council. 
			       
			 North Tyneside Council Refurbishment of Whitley Bay Playhouse 3,561,621 626,489 16,450 As a result of an audit inspection it was found that there were a number of failings in the management of this project, of which the lack of publicity was one. As these failings contravened the terms of the ERDF letter an irregularity was raised and the council has repaid in full. 
			       
			 One North East International Trade and Support Services 1,485,909 594,364 28,497 As a result of an audit inspection it was found that there were a number of failings in the management of this project, of which the lack of publicity was one. As these failings contravened the ERDF regulations the RDA repaid £28,497. 
		
	
	2007-13 ERDF Programme
	For the 2007-13 ERDF Programme the following financial corrections have been made.
	
		
			  Project name (Regional ERDF Programme) Monetary value of the project (£) Nature of the breach Financial penalty or correction (£) 
			 Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council Inclusive Enterprise (Yorkshire and Humber) 8,000,000 Failure to appropriately advertise ERDF support during radio advert 5,250 
			 University of Northampton Modelling and Visualisation Centre (East Midlands) 8,628,858 The project did not have the required billboard up in time (8 week period) 56,477.70 
			 Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council South Black Country SUD Package (West Midlands) 202,000 Failure to acknowledge ERDF Programme in text or display logos in job adverts 5,046 
			 The National Museum of Labour History Peoples History Museum (North West) 756,300 No logo on billboard 7,223 
			 North West Vision and Media NW Vision and Media Cluster Development (North West) 2,716,950 Marketing materials without logo 12,005 
			 Merseytravel James Street Underground Station (North West) 1,700,000 Insufficient publicity at project start 13,600 
			 The Merseyside Partnership Partners for Tourism (North West) 11.947,934 Use of incorrect logo 5,492.50 
			 Business Link Business Link Brokerage Service (North West) 3,270,695 Job Advertisement without ERDF logo 5,296.47

Falck EMS UK

Chris Williamson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government when (a) he and (b) officials in his Department last met representatives of Falck EMS UK Ltd; what subjects were discussed; and if he will make a statement.

Bob Neill: I have not met with representatives of Falck EMS UK Ltd. Officials in my Department had an informal meeting with a representative of Falck EMS UK Ltd in March 2011 as part of discussions with a number of organisations about the Fire Service College.

Fire Service College

Chris Williamson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what assessment he has made of the implications for firefighter training of the potential sale of the Fire Service College to the private sector.

Bob Neill: The Government response to the “Fire Futures Report”, published on 12 April 2011, recognised that the provision of high quality training and development for fire and rescue service staff was vital to ensure that the service could respond effectively to the needs of their local communities and to major incidents.
	The response also acknowledged the strong value of a national college for fire and rescue service training, but explained that we believed that the Fire Service College could achieve its full potential only if there was greater involvement from other sectors (whether private, public or voluntary) in its ownership, operation and governance. We therefore undertook to explore with the sector and other organisations options to secure the future of the college.
	We are still at the early stages of those considerations, which will of course take account of training and development requirements for fire and rescue service staff.

Fire Service College

Chris Williamson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether the provisions of the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006 apply to the transfer of Fire Service College staff to the private sector; and if he will ensure that the revised version of the Cabinet Office Statement of Practice on Staff Transfers in the Public Sector 2000 is applied to any transfer of such staff within the public sector.

Bob Neill: The Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006 is a matter of employment law. The Cabinet Office Statement of Practice on Staff Transfers in the Public Sector 2000 is applied to all public sector transfers as a matter of established practice.

Fire Service College

Chris Williamson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the (a) budget and (b) staffing levels were of the Fire Service College in each year since 2001.

Bob Neill: The following figures are taken from the Fire Service College's annual accounts:
	
		
			  Staff (FTE)  (1) Staff costs (£000) 
			 2000-01 236 6,993 
			 2001-02 249 6,987 
			 2002-03 253 7,942 
			 2003-04 292 9,879 
			 2004-05 313 11,255 
			 2005-06 309 10,756 
			 2006-07 273 11,078 
			 2007-08 266 11,115 
			 2008-09 248 11,503 
			 2009-10 239 11,469 
			 (1) Full-time equivalent.

Fire Service College

Chris Williamson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government which higher education establishments (a) in the UK and (b) elsewhere have formal links with the Fire Service College.

Bob Neill: The Fire Service College has formal links with the following higher education establishments:
	Ashridge Business School
	Coventry University
	University of Central Lancashire
	Warwick Business School.

Fire Services

Chris Williamson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government 
	(1)  what steps he is taking to maintain national resilience during reductions in fire service budgets;
	(2)  what statutory requirements there are for fire authorities to contribute to national resilience.

Bob Neill: The setting of fire authority budgets and service delivery are a local matter, determined by individual fire and rescue authorities, not by central Government.
	As ‘Category One Responders’ under the Civil Contingencies Act 2004, fire and rescue services are required to plan for serious incidents in their areas such as those identified in the national risk assessment and consequent national planning assumptions. In addition, the Fire and Rescue Services Act 2004 requires authorities to enter into ‘Reinforcement Schemes’ with other authorities to provide mutual assistance in responding to a serious emergency.
	The national framework sets out the Government's expectations for the fire service, and this includes their contribution to national resilience.

Fire Services: AssetCo

Chris Williamson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government 
	(1)  what estimate he has made of the likely financial cost to (a) London Fire Brigade and (b) Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue Service of AssetCo entering administration;
	(2)  what assessment he has made of the potential (a) cost to and (b) organisational changes for (i) London Fire Brigade and (ii) Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue Service arising from AssetCo's receipt of a creditor's petition;
	(3)  how many (a) fire appliances and (b) other items of equipment (i) London Fire Brigade and (ii) Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue Service lease from AssetCo under the terms of existing contracts; and how long each contract is;
	(4)  when he last met officials from (a) London Fire Brigade and (b) Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue Service to discuss the terms of their contracts with AssetCo;
	(5)  whether he has met with representatives of AssetCo to discuss the terms of that company's contracts with (a) London Fire Brigade and (b) Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue Service; and when the last such meeting took place.

Bob Neill: Sharing back office functions and improving procurement are key ways that fire and rescue authorities can deliver sensible savings, while protecting the quality and breadth of frontline services offered to their communities.
	While each fire and rescue authority is responsible for their own policy on procurement, they should constantly search for the best value for money in delivering their services. Outsourcing the provision of capital equipment can be one such way, provided the precise terms and conditions of the contract represent value for money in the long-term. The terms of these contracts, and the implications of any service failure, are a matter for the individual fire and rescue authorities themselves. Contact has been made with London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority and Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue Authority regarding AssetCo, and reassurance obtained that they are able to meet their statutory duties and ensure a continued service to the public irrespective of AssetCo's particular financial circumstances.

Fire Services: Finance

Chris Williamson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what assessment he has made of the potential effects on levels of fire safety of changes to (a) fire service fire prevention budgets and (b) fire service fire reduction programmes.

Bob Neill: The setting of fire authority budgets and service delivery are a local matter, with delivery determined by individual fire and rescue authorities, not by central Government. As such, no assessment has been made.
	I also refer the hon. Member to my letter to him of 6 December 2010, a copy of which is also in the Library of the House, which outlines how fire and rescue authorities can make sensible savings without impacting on the quality or breadth of services offered to their communities.

Fire Services: Manpower

Chris Williamson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what estimate he has made of the minimum number of firefighters that the fire and rescue service requires to be employed nationally at any one time in order to fulfil its statutory duties.

Bob Neill: It is for individual Fire and Rescue Authorities to determine appropriate levels of emergency cover, taking account of analysis of risk locally, as part of integrated risk management planning.
	No formal estimate of firefighter levels required nationally by fire and rescue services is made by central Government.

Fire Services: Pay

Chris Williamson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many employees of the fire and rescue service earn less than £21,000 per year; and whether such employees are eligible for the £250 pay increase in each year of the comprehensive spending review period for public sector employees earning less than £21,000 per year.

Bob Neill: Information about numbers of employees in the fire and rescue service by specific pay levels is not held centrally. The pay of fire and rescue service employees is a matter for fire and rescue authorities as the employers. Ministers are not party to those negotiations.

Fire Services: Pay

Chris Williamson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what discussions he has had with (a) trade unions and (b) the Chief Fire Officers Association on pay negotiations in the fire and rescue service.

Bob Neill: I have regular meetings with the trade unions and the Chief Fire Officers Association. While I have not had any discussions about pay negotiations, when pay matters have been raised with me, I have made it clear that pay is the responsibility of the fire and rescue authorities as the employers and not this Department.

Fire Services: Pay

Chris Williamson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what assessment he has made of the effects of the fire service pay settlement for 2011-12 on staff (a) retention and (b) morale; and what the pay bands for that year are for (i) whole-time, (ii) retained and (iii) control staff.

Bob Neill: Pay is a matter for fire and rescue authorities as the employers. As such it is for them, and not this Department, to assess the impact of pay settlements.
	The pay bands for whole-time, retained and control staff, as at the last pay increase agreed by the National Joint Council for Local Authority Fire and Rescue Services on 1 July 2009, are set out in the following tables:
	
		
			 (i) Whole  -  time 
			 Role Basic annual salary (£) 
			 Firefighter 21,157 to 28,199 
			 Crew manager 29,971 to 31,263 
			 Watch manager 31,940 to 34,961 
			 Station manager 36,365 to 40,109 
			 Group manager 41,881 to 46,428 
			 Area manager 49,167 to 53,934 
		
	
	
		
			 (ii) Retained d  uty (on   call) 
			 £ 
			 Role Full annual retainer Basic hourly rate 
			 Firefighter 2,116 to 2,821 9.66 to 12.88 
			 Crew manager 2,998 to 3,127 13.69 to 14.28 
			 Watch manager 3,193 to 3,496 14.58 to 15.96 
			 Station manager 3,637 to 4,012 16.60 to 18.31 
			 Group manager 4,189 to 4,643 19.12 to 21.20 
			 Area manager 4,917 to 5,394 22.45 to 24.63 
		
	
	
		
			 (iii) Control staff 
			 Role Basic annual salary (£) 
			 Firefighter 20,099 to 26,790 
			 Crew manager 28,472 to 29,700 
			 Watch manager 30,345 to 33,211 
			 Station manager 34,547 to 38,104 
			 Group manager 39,788 to 44,108 
		
	
	The pay rates above include Trainee, Development and Competent for Firefighters, Development and Competent for Crew Managers and Development, Competent A and Competent B for all other roles.(1)
	(1) Source:
	Local Government Group.

Fire Services: Procurement

Chris Williamson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what plans he has for the future of fire service procurement; and if he will make a statement.

Bob Neill: Firebuy Ltd, which helped deliver procurement efficiencies and collaboration for local fire and rescue authorities in England through nationally negotiated contracts, is closing in summer 2011 as part of the Government review of arm’s length bodies. It was not a function that needed to be undertaken by central Government.
	All of Firebuy's procurement functions have been transferred to alternative organisations. The 17 framework contracts were formally novated to Wiltshire county council with The Consortium for Purchasing and Distribution Ltd managing these on Wiltshire's behalf. This ensures that there is continuity of the existing arrangements. Fire and rescue authorities have been encouraged to continue to use these contracts to maintain the benefits of collaborative procurement though procurement is a matter for them to decide on based on their operational requirements.
	Procurement arrangements have also been considered as part of the consultation on the future of fire and rescue control services in England. The fire sector is best placed to develop procurement models that ensure standards are adopted where necessary, so that the benefits of interoperability and collaborative procurement can be realised.

Fire Services: Standards

Chris Williamson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what steps he is taking to facilitate the sharing of best operational practice in responding to (a) local and (b) national emergencies between fire and rescue services.

Bob Neill: The Government's expectation was laid out in the national framework (2008-11) where fire authorities must:
	“Have in place systematic arrangements to ensure incident and safety event outcomes inform the ongoing development of safe systems of work and training and development of staff. This should include the sharing of risk critical information on a regional/national basis when appropriate.”
	For national emergencies that directly or indirectly involve fire and rescue services the National Co-ordination and Advisory Framework provides a live mechanism to support and advise local decision makers in affected areas. This arrangement has been provided by a partnership between the Office of the Chief Fire and Rescue Adviser and the Chief Fire Officers Association.
	The Chief Fire and Rescue Adviser has responsibility for the production of national operational guidance for the Fire and Rescue Service. Systems are in place to gather information from operational incidents to determine and refresh such guidance where appropriate.

Fire Services: Standards

Chris Williamson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what recent progress he has made in developing a National Framework document for the Fire and Rescue Service; when he expects to produce a draft document; and what recent meetings he has had with officials in his Department to discuss this matter.

Bob Neill: Work on the next Fire and Rescue Service National Framework is under way, and a National Framework Partner Working Group will be meeting shortly. I expect the draft National Framework will be out for public consultation later in the year. I meet regularly with my officials in the course of business.

Fire Services: Standards

Chris Williamson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what assessment he has made of the likely effects of his policies on localism on the development of a National Framework document for the Fire and Rescue Service.

Bob Neill: Localism will be reflected in the development of the National Framework. I expect there to be a public consultation on the draft National Framework later in the year.

Fire Services: Standards

Chris Williamson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what assessment he has made of the likely effects of his policies on localism on the capacity of fire and rescue services to discharge their statutory duties.

Bob Neill: The provisions in the Localism Bill, currently going through Parliament, were subject to impact assessments. These assessments were published by my Department in January and placed in the Library of the House following introduction.
	For fire and rescue authorities the proposed legislation will provide additional freedoms and flexibilities. These are enabling powers, intended to enhance the capacity of the fire and rescue service in discharging their statutory duties.

Fire Services: Standards

Chris Williamson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the oral answer of 20 June 2011, Official Report, column 10, on fire and rescue services, whether the integrated resource management plan places a requirement on fire authorities to plan for (a) risk and (b) cost; and if he will make a statement.

Bob Neill: The reference in Hansard dated 20 June 2011 should have been to local authorities’ integrated risk management plans, not integrated resource management plans.
	The Government are committed to enabling local authorities and local communities to make appropriate decisions at the local level. Fire and rescue authorities are required by the Fire and Rescue Service National Framework to have in place and maintain an integrated risk management plan which reflects local need and sets out plans to tackle effectively both existing and potential risks to communities. Each fire and rescue authority's plan enables that individual authority to decide how best to provide fire and rescue-related services, including prevention and protection as well as response, with resources being allocated on the basis of the evaluation of risk and where the risks are greatest.
	Local requirements are thus determined by local people according to local circumstances.

Fire Services: Surveys

Chris Williamson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what progress his Department has made in surveying fire and rescue authorities' budgetary plans for 2012-13; whether he plans to publish the findings of the survey; and if he will place in the Library a copy of the survey.

Bob Neill: The Department has not surveyed fire and rescue authorities' budgetary plans and has no plans to do so.

Fire Services: Training

Chris Williamson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what his policy is on the privatisation of firefighter training.

Bob Neill: Firefighter training is a matter for fire and rescue authorities as they are the employers. It is for them to decide the appropriate training provision.

Hedges

Steve Brine: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what guidance his Department issues to local authorities on matters relating to high hedges; and whether he plans to review that guidance.

Bob Neill: There is guidance on matters relating to high hedges on my Department's website. As with other guidance, we will continue to keep this under review.

Homelessness

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what assessment the cross-departmental Homelessness Working Group has made of the effects of the implementation of the big society initiative on the provision of local services for homeless people.

Grant Shapps: My ministerial colleagues and I are well aware of the significant contribution made by volunteers up and down the country in supporting the voluntary and community sector and other agencies to help vulnerable people. Their contribution is integral in ensuring they receive the appropriate support they need to enhance their well-being.
	This Government take homelessness very seriously. We are maintaining investment in homelessness grant at £100 million a year for each of the next four years to support local authorities and the voluntary sector in their work to prevent homelessness. We have also secured £6.5 billion investment for Supporting People over the next four years.
	In addition, I established a cross-Government Ministerial Working Group on Homelessness to address the complex causes of homelessness and improve support for homeless people. The first report from the Ministerial Working Group will be published on 6 July and will be available at:
	http://www.communities.gov.uk/housing/homelessness/
	The report sets out the Government's intention to roll out ‘No Second Night Out’ nationally, the approach being taken by the Mayor of London to quickly identify new rough sleepers. To deliver the pledge and ensure that the voluntary sector continues to play a central role in tackling rough sleeping, I have also announced a new £20 million Homelessness Transition Fund to be administered by Homeless Link. The report includes commitments from Government Departments, local government and voluntary sector partners to end rough sleeping and help ensure that nobody spends a second night sleeping rough on Britain's streets.

Local Government Finance

David Blunkett: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government with reference to his Department's guidance for Government Departments on the New Burdens Doctrine, how the guidance is to be applied to the reduction in the financial settlement for local authorities in 2012-13; and whether such guidance is to apply to additional powers sought by local authorities or provided for in the Localism Bill.

Bob Neill: The provisional Local Government Finance settlement for 2012-13 fully reflects at national level transfers of function and new burdens. The spending review delivered a challenging but fair settlement for local government. Reductions are matched by a radical reform programme that gives councils unprecedented freedoms and flexibilities and far more control over their budgets.
	In broad terms, the ‘New Burdens Doctrine: Guidance for Departments’ applies in all cases where central Government require local authorities to undertake a new activity that incurs additional costs.

Local Government: Social Enterprises

Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what steps he plans to take to encourage local authorities to award service contracts to social enterprises.

Bob Neill: Procurement in local government is a matter for local discretion but Government are committed to encouraging a more open and level playing field for small and medium enterprises and the voluntary and community sector to bid for contracts. In February, the Prime Minister launched a new, free-to-use, online Contracts Finder portal and a simplified pre-qualification questionnaire to make it easier and cheaper for small and medium enterprises and the voluntary and community sector to bid for public sector opportunities.
	DCLG has also recently consulted on new statutory guidance on Best Value (the consultation closed on 14 June). It makes clear that councils need to avoid making disproportionate reductions to the voluntary and community sector and sets out what voluntary and community organisations should expect from working with local government.

Local Government: Translation Services

Gary Streeter: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what estimate he has made of the cost to local authorities of the provision of translation of information about their services from English into other languages.

Andrew Stunell: I have made no estimate of the cost of translation to local authorities. This information is not held centrally.

Public Sector: Pensions

Chris Williamson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what assessment he has made of the likely effects of (a) the implementation of the recommendations of the Independent Public Service Pensions Commission, (b) changes to the annual uprating of public sector pensions, (c) a 3.2 per cent. increase in employee contributions to public sector pension schemes and (d) a 2.5 per cent. increase in VAT on staff (i) retention and (ii) morale in the fire and rescue service; and when he last discussed fire service (A) pensions and (B) pay with the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

Bob Neill: The Government intend to respond to the Independent Public Service Pensions Commission's recommendations later in the year. Scheme specific discussions will develop the appropriate reforms to the firefighters' pension schemes, in full consultation with the Firefighters' Pension Committee and other sector partners.
	Discussions are proceeding with the Trades Union Congress and trade unions to establish the principles to apply to new levels of employee contributions in public service pension schemes from 1 April 2012. The Government are committed to protecting low earners, ensuring that any changes will be sustainable and progressive, and remaining fair to both public sector workers and to the taxpayer.
	The Department meets employer and trade union representatives at the Firefighters' Pensions Committee and elsewhere to discuss pension reforms, their interaction with pay and work force issues and their impact on the fire service.
	I and my fellow Ministers meet regularly with colleagues from Her Majesty's Treasury to discuss a range of matters.

Regional Growth Fund

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what recent representations he has received from representatives of local enterprise partnerships on the application process for the Regional Growth Fund.

Greg Clark: holding answer 13 June 2011
	Local enterprise partnerships may submit bids that meet the regional growth fund objective:
	‘to stimulate private sector investment by providing support for projects that offer significant potential for long term economic growth and the creation of additional sustainable private sector jobs’.
	Departmental officials have worked closely with local enterprise partnerships to encourage high quality regional growth fund bids.
	All bids will be judged on their own merits.

Rented Housing

Alison Seabeck: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what estimate he has made of the number of shared rooms available in (a) London, (b) Leeds, (c) Manchester, (d) Liverpool and (e) Birmingham in the (i) social housing and (ii) private rented sector in the most recent year for which figures are available.

Andrew Stunell: The Department does not hold this information.

Social Rented Housing

Caroline Nokes: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what assistance his Department is providing for the re-housing of residents who are under-occupying their homes.

Andrew Stunell: This Department has allocated £13 million over the next four years to help local authorities support under-occupying social tenants who wish to move, as well as funding an action team within the Chartered Institute of Housing to work with all social landlords to help them promote moves.
	We are also making it easier for landlords to address under-occupation by increasing mobility, through changes to the allocation rules contained in the Localism Bill and the introduction of a national home swap scheme.

Social Services: Finance

Jack Dromey: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Health on the potential effects of the outcome of the comprehensive spending review on the provision of social care services by local authorities.

Bob Neill: holding answer 27 June 2011
	Ministers within the Department for Communities and Local Government regularly meet colleagues from the Department of Health to discuss a range of matters.

Social Services: Finance

Jack Dromey: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what information his Department holds on the effects of the outcomes of the comprehensive spending review on social care spending by local authorities.

Bob Neill: holding answer 5 July 2011
	In recognition of the importance of social care in communities throughout the country, the Government are giving local authorities significantly greater freedom and control over budgets to be able to move resources to priority services. This includes rolling more than £2 billion of social care resources, including an additional £1 billion on top of existing grants by 2014-15, and £1.6 billion of Supporting People funding into formula grant.
	Further funding, totalling £800 million in 2011-12 and rising to £1 billion by 2014-15, has been allocated within the NHS to be spent on measures that support social care, which also benefits health. The new NHS Operating Framework sets out specific primary care trust allocations that transfer to councils for spending on social care services to benefit health, and to improve overall health gain.

Social Services: Finance

Barbara Keeley: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what assessment he has made of the effects of reductions to local authority budgets on social care services.

Bob Neill: holding answer 4 July 2011
	In recognition of the importance of social care in communities throughout the country, the Government are giving local authorities significantly greater freedom and control over budgets to be able to move resources to priority services. This includes rolling more than £2 billion of social care resources, including an additional £1 billion on top of existing grants by 2014-15, and £1.6 billion of Supporting People funding into formula grant.
	Further funding, totalling £800 million in 2011-12 and rising to £1 billion by 2014-15, has been allocated within the NHS to be spent on measures that support social care, which also benefits health. The new NHS Operating Framework sets out specific primary care trust allocations that transfer to councils for spending on social care services to benefit health, and to improve overall health gain.

Travellers: Caravan Sites

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what discussions (a) he and (b) officials in his Department have had with chief executives and officials of local authorities on the role of regional cooperation in planning for Gypsy and Traveller caravan sites.

Bob Neill: As is routinely the case with all policy development, Ministers and officials have had discussions with a range of people with an interest in planning policy for Traveller sites while drafting their proposed policy. This has included local authority officials and Members. Many of these discussions have covered joint working between local authorities on provision of Traveller sites.
	We published our draft new planning policy for Traveller sites for public consultation on 13 April and Members, and local authorities, are welcome to submit their views.

Travelling People: Regional Planning and Development

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether he has devised mechanisms to replace the function of regional spatial strategies for the purposes of ensuring regional co-operation in planning for Gypsy and Traveller caravan sites; and if he will make a statement.

Bob Neill: We are introducing a duty to co-operate through the Localism Bill to ensure that local authorities continue to work together after regional strategies are abolished. This will require local planning authorities, county councils and other public bodies to engage constructively, actively and on an ongoing basis in the planning process.
	The duty will apply to the preparation of policies on strategic matters in local plans. It will also apply to activities that support the preparation of these policies.
	Local authorities will be required to demonstrate compliance with the duty to co-operate as part of the examination of local plans. If an authority cannot demonstrate that they have complied with the duty, their local plan will not pass the independent examination.

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

West Lothian Question

Harriett Baldwin: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what recent representations he has received on the establishment of a commission on the West Lothian question.

Mark Harper: I have received a number of such representations from Members of the House of Commons on both their own behalf and that of constituents.

Act of Settlement

Alan Reid: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what recent discussions he has had with Commonwealth Governments on reform of the Act of Settlement.

Mark Harper: Both my right hon. Friends the Prime Minister and the Deputy Prime Minister have made it clear that they think Government should look at the rules which allow younger sons to inherit the Throne over their elder sisters. But this is a complex issue and not one which the UK can proceed with unilaterally. Discussions are continuing with the other Commonwealth countries who would be affected but it would not be appropriate to reveal the details.

Prisoner Enfranchisement

Kevan Jones: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister when he plans to bring forward legislative proposals on the enfranchisement of prisoners.

Mark Harper: The Government are considering the next steps and will inform the House when decisions on the way forward have been reached.

Recall of Members of Parliament

Ian Murray: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister when he plans to bring forward legislative proposals to enable the recall of hon. Members.

Nicholas Clegg: The Government are committed to bringing forward legislation to introduce a power to recall Members of Parliament where they have engaged in serious wrongdoing. We plan to publish our proposals in draft for pre-legislative scrutiny.

City Status Competition

David Amess: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what process he plans to follow to assess entries to the diamond jubilee city status competition.

Mark Harper: The process of assessing the entries will begin shortly. Careful consideration will be given to all applications, after which Ministers will formally provide their advice to Her Majesty, as such honours are awarded under the royal prerogative. The results are expected to be announced early in 2012.

Departmental Staff

John Spellar: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many staff were employed in his office on (a) 5 July 2010 and (b) the most recent date for which figures are available. [Official Report, 14 July 2011, Vol. 531, c. 5-6MC.]

Nicholas Clegg: There were 14 members of staff employed in my private office on 31 July 2010. The precise figures for 5 July 2010 are not available. There were 17 members of staff employed in my private office on 30 June 2011.

Electoral Commission

Chris Ruane: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the methodologies used by the Electoral Commission for the collection of data as set out in the First Report, 2011, HC 916, from the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission, on Reports by the Comptroller and Auditor General.

Mark Harper: Under the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 (Schedule 1, paragraph 16) the Comptroller and Auditor General has the responsibility for carrying out an examination into the economy, efficiency and/or effectiveness with which the Electoral Commission have used their resources in discharging their functions.
	The First Report, 2011, from the Speaker's Committee welcomed the National Audit Office report on the Electoral Commission's spending to support the running of elections. The National Audit Office assessed the effectiveness of the methodologies used by the Electoral Commission for the collection of data and set out its conclusions in the report. The Speaker's Committee noted those areas in which the Comptroller and Auditor General recommends further development and will keep its recommendations under review. The Government believe that it is important that all public bodies provide best value for money and will look at any recommendations for changes.

Prisoners: Voting Rights

Priti Patel: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister with which Ministers he has discussed prisoner voting rights since 10 February 2011.

Nicholas Clegg: I have regular meetings with ministerial colleagues on a range of issues.

Prisoners: Voting Rights

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what consideration he is giving to the decision of the House reached in Division No. 199 on 10 February 2011, Official Report, columns 584-6, on formulating his response to the ruling by the European Court of Human Rights on prisoner voting rights.

Mark Harper: The Government are considering the next steps and will inform the House when decisions on the way forward have been reached.

TRANSPORT

A46

Karl McCartney: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport which sections of the A46 are classified as trunk road; and what responsibility the Highways Agency has for the (a) maintenance and (b) improvement of such sections.

Michael Penning: The A46 runs from the outskirts of Bath in Somerset to near Grimsby in North-East Lincolnshire. The trunk road sections are from the A57 Carholme Roundabout near Lincoln to Junction 21a of the M1 near Leicester; Junction 2 of the M6 near Coventry to Junction 9 of the M5 in Gloucestershire; and Junction 18 of the M4 east of Bristol to its junction with the A4 near Bath.
	The Secretary of State for Transport is the highway and traffic authority for the Strategic Road Network of England. As an Executive Agency of the Department for Transport, the Highways Agency's responsibilities for maintaining and improving the Strategic Road Network are defined in the Highways Act 1980.

A46: Lincoln

Karl McCartney: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans his Department has for improvements to the A46 (a) within and (b) bordering Lincoln constituency. [Official Report, 5 September 2011, Vol. 532, c. 1-2MC.]

Michael Penning: Within the Lincoln constituency, the Highways Agency is responsible for the stretch of the A46 between the A1434 Hykeham Roundabout and the A57 Carholme Roundabout. Beyond Carholme Roundabout, the A46 is the responsibility of Lincolnshire county council.
	The only improvement currently programmed on this section is adjacent to the A46 at Teal Park. The site between Whisby Roundabout and Hykeham Roundabout is being jointly developed by Lincoln city council and Lincolnshire county council. It will necessitate improvements to the A46 to accommodate the anticipated increase in traffic. The development is due for completion in July 2012.

Biggin Hill Airport: Olympic Games 2012

Jo Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will assess the adequacy of the surface access strategy of Biggin Hill airport to handle traffic arising from any time-limited waiver to the terms of its lease with Bromley council during the period of the London 2012 Olympics.

Theresa Villiers: That would be a matter for agreement between the airport and the local authority.

Biggin Hill Airport: Olympic Games 2012

Jo Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what contribution his Department expects Biggin Hill airport to make in meeting demand for air travel during the London 2012 Olympics.

Theresa Villiers: Studies commissioned by the Department for Transport suggest that large numbers of additional private aircraft flights can be expected during the Games period, and that both airport and airspace capacity across south-east England will be in high demand, especially during peak periods. Biggin Hill airport, along with a number of other airports across the south-east, is expected to play an important part in accommodating this additional demand.

Bus Services: Kent

Gareth Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make an assessment of recent trends in the level of bus services in (a) Dartford constituency and (b) Kent.

Norman Baker: The latest information on bus statistics in Great Britain can be found on the Department website at the following address:
	http://www2.dft.gov.uk/pgr/statistics/datatablespublications/public/bus/index.html
	The charts found at the following addresses may be of particular interest:
	http://assets.dft.gov.uk/statistics/worksheets/bus0103.xls
	http://assets.dft.gov.uk/statistics/worksheets/bus0109.xls

Channel Tunnel Railway Line

Esther McVey: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the effect on the economy of (a) Stratford, (b) Ebbsfleet and (c) Ashford of the High Speed 1 rail line.

Theresa Villiers: The Secretary of State has not made any recent economic assessment of the High Speed one rail line in respect of Stratford, Ebbsfleet and Ashford. However, London and Continental Railways had commissioned an independent study carried out by Colin Buchanan and Voleterra on the economic impact of HS1 in 2009. A web link of the final copy of the report can be found at:
	http://www.colinbuchanan.com/uploads/cms/files/147e7dfc-2a53-4267-83d7-72bdde92062e.pdf
	In addition, cost-benefit ratios were also calculated during the construction stages of the project using the methodology of the time. Information on these is available in National Audit Office reports dated 28 March 2001 and 21 July 2005. Both reports are available from the NAO.

Channel Tunnel Railway Line: Freight

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment his Department has made of the compliance of ordinary freight trains using the channel tunnel with the recommendations of the Intergovernmental Commission of 30 March 2011 that ordinary freight trains should meet the provisions of Article 7.4.1 of the Technical Specification for Inter-operability: Safety in Rail Tunnels.

Theresa Villiers: The Department for Transport has not made an assessment of the compliance of ordinary freight trains using the channel tunnel since no additional requirements are necessary for Technical Specification for Interoperability-conforming freight wagons to be used in the channel tunnel.
	The UK and French Governments notified, on 5 January 2009, a number of existing technical compatibility and safety requirements for both passenger and freight trains for the channel tunnel under article 7.4.1, which pre-date the introduction of the Technical Specification for Interoperability: Safety in Railway Tunnels.
	That notification was subject to a Technical Opinion from the European Railway Agency delivered in July 2010. The UK and French Governments' response to that opinion included a commitment to develop these rules and the Intergovernmental Commission is currently progressing that project. A consultation on the specific requirements of freight trains has recently been completed as part of this ongoing work.

Departmental Regulation

Gordon Banks: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what regulations his Department introduced between 1 March 2011 and 31 May 2011; and what the estimated costs of implementation were for those affected in each case.

Norman Baker: Between 1 March 2011 and 31 May 2011 the Department for Transport made the statutory instruments listed in the following table.
	Costs and benefits, concluding with a net benefit figure, have been provided only for those measures where an impact assessment has been produced. They are total figures (transitional and annual average).
	Not included in the table are temporary and local instruments, 157 of which were made by the Department in March, 64 in April and 135 in May. Of these, 324 were temporary local highways orders, 29 were temporary local flying orders, two were local highways orders and one was a local railway order. Further information about these temporary and local orders could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	
		
			 Title SI Number Date of making Estimated costs and benefits of implementation (as reported in the impact assessments) 
			 The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency Trading Fund (Revocation) Order 2011 630 2 March 2011 An impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument as no impact on the business or voluntary sectors or on citizens is foreseen. 
			 The Air Navigation(Dangerous Goods) (Amendment) Regulations 2011 650 3 March 2011 No cost data available. No impact assessment produced for this measure. 
			 The Aerodromes(Designation) (Detention and Sale of Aircraft) (England and Wales) (Amendment) Order 2011 832 16 March 2011 An impact assessment has not been prepared for this instrument as there are no costs or benefits to business. 
			 The Airport Byelaws (Designation) Order 2011 828 16 March 2011 An impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument as it has no impact on the costs of business. 
			 The M1 Motorway (Junctions 25 to 28) (Variable Speed Limits) Regulations 2011 909 23 March 2011 Total costs £24.1 million. Total benefits £50.8 million. Total net benefit £26.7 million (2002 price base, 2008 present value, 30 years appraisal period). 
			 The Road Traffic Exemptions (Special Forces) (Variation and Amendment) Regulations 2011 935 23 March 2011 An impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument as no impact on the private or voluntary sectors is foreseen. 
			 The Merchant Shipping (Ship-to-Ship Transfers) (Amendment) Regulations 2011 974 28 March 2011 An impact assessment of the effect of these Regulations has not been prepared as they do not themselves have any impact on the cost of business. 
			 The Road Vehicles(Powers to Stop) Regulations 2011 996 29 March 2011 Total costs £0.59 million. Total benefits £2.88 million. Total net benefit £2.30 million (2010 present value, 2010 price base, 10 years appraisal). 
			 The M1 Motorway (Junctions 6A to 10) (Variable Speed Limits) Regulations 2011 1015 30 March 2011 Total costs £13.8 million. Total benefits £53.6 million. Total net benefit £39.8 million. (2008 prices, 2008 present value, 30 years appraisal period). 
			 The Traffic Signs (Amendment) Regulations and General Directions 2011 1040 30 March 2011 The impact assessment does not present any monetised costs or benefits. 
			 The Road Safety Act 2006 (Commencement No.7) Order 2011 1119 12 April 2011 See entry below. 
			 The Motor Vehicles (Insurance Requirements) (Immobilisation, Removal And Disposal) Regulations 2011 1120 12 April 2011 Total costs £78 million. Total benefits £380 million. Total net benefits £302 million. (2010 present value, 2010 price base, nine years appraisal period). These costs and benefits cover both the Road Safety Act 2006 (Commencement No. 7) Order 2011 and the Motor Vehicles (Insurance Requirements) (Immobilisation, Removal And Disposal) Regulations 2011. Since the implementation of the measure the total transition costs have been £8.47 million and the annual recurring costs have been revised to £4.4 million over nine years. 
			 The Mandatory Travel Concession (England) Regulations 2011 1121 13 April 2011 Total costs £0.03 million. Total benefits £0.68 million. Total net benefits £0.65 million. (2010 present value and 2010 base price, 10 years appraisal period). 
			 The Tractor etc (EC Type-Approval) (Amendment) Regulations 2011 1279 16 May 2011 A full impact assessment has not been prepared for this instrument as it has no impact on the costs of business or the voluntary sector. 
			 The Disabled Persons (Badges for Motor Vehicles) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2011 1307 23 May 2011 Total costs £2.74 million. Total benefits £2.57 million. Total net benefits—£0.17 million (2010 present value and 2010 base price, 10 years appraisal period). 
			 The Yarmouth (Isle of Wight) Harbour Revision Order 2011 1347 26 May 2011 A full regulatory assessment has not been produced for this instrument as no significant impact on the private or voluntary sectors is foreseen.

Gatwick Express Railway Line

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received from train operating companies on the use of the Class 460 Gatwick Express electrical multiple units which had been expected to be without an operator from 22 May 2011.

Theresa Villiers: Southern Railway continues to operate a number of Class 460 electric multiple units beyond the previously intended end date.
	The use of these units, once they are no longer needed on this route, is a matter for the rolling stock company to agree with train operating companies.

InterCity West Coast: Franchises

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport on how many occasions he has met representatives of the Rail Freight Group to discuss the InterCity West Coast franchise; and what provision for rail freight he has made in the invitation to tender for the InterCity West Coast franchise.

Theresa Villiers: The Secretary of State for Transport has not met representatives of the Rail Freight Group to discuss the InterCity West Coast franchise. The draft Invitation to Tender for the InterCity West Coast franchise contains a specification for passenger train services based on track access rights granted by the Office of Rail Regulation. The Office of Rail Regulation also grant freight operators track access rights and takes the interests of all operators into account in deciding on track access applications.

InterCity West Coast: Franchises

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the cost of transferring the Intercity West Coast franchise to Directly Operated Railways.

Theresa Villiers: The Department for Transport is currently in commercial negotiations in relation to the operation of the InterCity West Coast franchise from 1 April to 9 December 2012. Contingency plans and costs for any possible transfer of the franchise to Directly Operated Railways are therefore commercially confidential.

InterCity West Coast: Franchises

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much his Department has spent on preparing the invitation to tender for the InterCity West Coast franchise; and what the cost to the Department is of moving the start date for the franchise to 1 January 2013.

Theresa Villiers: The Department for Transport has spent £206,000 to date (April 2011) on technical and legal advice in the preparation of the draft Invitation to Tender for the InterCity West Coast franchise. The Department is currently in commercial negotiations to secure interim operations for the InterCity West Coast franchise from 1 April to 9 December 2012 (the planned start date of the new franchise). Any anticipated costs from moving the start date are therefore commercially confidential.
	The West Coast franchise agreement gives the Department the option to extend the contract by 28 weeks (or seven railway periods). However, negotiations are taking place to secure a slightly longer extension (for nine railway periods, or 36 weeks) so that preparations for the new franchise do not have to take place during the Olympics.

Large Goods Vehicles

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many heavy goods vehicles in each weight category are recorded on the most recent vehicle registration database.

Michael Penning: The following table gives the number of heavy goods vehicles registered in Great Britain that were either licensed or with a Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN) as at 31 March 2011.
	
		
			 Gross weight (tonnes) Licensed With a SORN Total 
			 3.5t to under 7.5t 88,477 18,508 106,985 
			 7.5t to under 17t 131,974 16,628 148,602 
			 17t to under 25t 65,715 7,402 73,117 
			 25t to under 33t 76,632 6,916 83,548 
			 33t or greater 105,196 10,857 116,053 
			 Total 467,994 60,311 528,305 
		
	
	These figures will differ slightly to statistics produced by the Department on road freight. This is because there are some vehicles registered as heavy goods vehicles that do not carry freight, including, for instance, cranes, cement mixers and some vehicles used in the building trade. These vehicles are excluded from the road freight surveys.

Motor Vehicles: Insurance

Steve Brine: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what information his Department holds on the number of uninsured drivers in Winchester constituency.

Michael Penning: The Department for Transport does not hold any information on the number of uninsured drivers in the Winchester constituency.
	The estimated number of uninsured vehicles in Great Britain is 1.4 million (4% of vehicles).

Motor Vehicles: Insurance

Steve Brine: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he has considered the merits of introducing a requirement of a mandatory insurance disc for motor vehicles.

Michael Penning: The merits of an insurance windscreen disc have been considered. However, it would only show that the vehicle was insured at the point the disc was issued and not prove that it was continuously insured.
	The continuous insurance enforcement scheme introduced in June allows us to identify uninsured vehicles by comparing existing information held on record, and take action, without relying on spotting the vehicle on the road.

Motor Vehicles: Testing

Steve Brine: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he has any plans to bring forward proposals to review the MOT test scheme.

Michael Penning: I refer my hon. Friend to my answer of 17 May 2011, Official Report, column 141W, to the hon. Member for Poplar and Limehouse (Jim Fitzpatrick).

Motor Vehicles: Testing

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the failure rate was for candidates taking the driving test for the first time in each driving test centre in the latest period for which figures are available.

Michael Penning: A table providing information on the failure rates for candidates taking the driving test for the first time, in each driving test centre, in the financial year 2010-11 has been placed in the Libraries of the House.

Motorways: Death

Stephen Mosley: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  how many deaths have occurred on motorways in each year since 1981;
	(2)  what the causes were of fatal automobile accidents on motorways in each of the last five years for which figures are available.

Michael Penning: The number of fatalities as a result of reported personal injury road accidents on motorways in Great Britain since 1981 is shown on Table 1.
	The time series on road accident fatalities since 1981 may not be a true like-for-like comparison due to growth in motorway length and associated growth in traffic. The motorway length in Great Britain increased from 2,647 km in 1981 to 3,560 km in 2010.
	It is not possible to identify the cause of road accidents from data collected through STATS19. However, the Department for Transport collects statistics on contributory factors in accidents reported by the attending police officer. The reported contributory factors for fatal road accidents on motorways in Great Britain for 2005 to 2009 are shown on Table 2.
	Contributory factor data for 2010 will be available at the end of September 2011.
	
		
			 Table 1: Reported fatalities in personal injury accidents on motorways  (1)  —GB—1981-2010 
			  Number of fatalities 
			 1981 223 
			 1982 206 
		
	
	
		
			 1983 187 
			 1984 211 
			 1985 241 
			 1986 248 
			 1967 283 
			 1988 242 
			 1989 233 
			 1990 229 
			 1991 234 
			 1992 238 
			 2993 201 
			 1994 157 
			 1995 180 
			 1996 165 
			 1997 191 
			 1998 174 
			 1999 202 
			 2000 189 
			 2001 203 
			 2002 224 
			 2003 217 
			 2004 164 
			 2005 204 
			 2006 187 
			 2007 183 
			 2008 158 
			 2009 132 
			 2010 118 
		
	
	
		
			 Table 2: Contributory factors—Reported fatal road accidents  (1)   on motorways  (2)  —GB 2005-09 
			  2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 
			 Contributory factors reported  (3)   in fatal accidents on motorways Number %  (4) Number %  (4) Number %  (4) Number %  (4) Number %  (4) 
			 Loss of control 57 37 62 41 42 30 45 36 38 37 
			 Fatigue 24 15 24 16 20 14 17 14 19 18 
			 Travelling too fast for conditions 23 15 19 13 13 9 11 9 11 11 
			 Exceeding speed limit 22 14 14 9 11 8 7 6 9 9 
			 Failed to look properly 21 13 14 9 17 12 17 14 14 14 
			 Failed to judge other person's path or speed 18 12 19 13 24 17 20 16 10 10 
			 Poor turn or manoeuvre 18 12 13 9 6 4 5 4 7 7 
			 Careless, reckless or in a hurry 16 10 12 8 12 9 13 10 10 10 
			 Swerved 15 10 16 11 16 11 15 12 8 8 
			 Impaired by alcohol 14 9 12 8 7 5 9 7 10 10 
			 Other 12 8 13 9 11 8 8 6 12 12 
			 Dangerous action in carriageway (eg, playing) by pedestrians 9 6 6 4 11 8 7 6 6 6 
			 Following too close 9 6 12 8 6 4 3 2 6 6 
			 Slippery road (due to weather) 7. 4 7 5 6 4 6 5 9 9 
			 Illness or disability, mental or physical 5 3 8 5 13 9 6 5 10 10 
			 Total number of accidents 156 100 152 100 140 100 125 100 103 100 
			 (1) Includes only accidents where a police officer attended the scene and in which a contributory factor was reported. (2) Includes motorway and A(M) roads. (3) Includes only the ten most frequently reported contributory factors for each year. Factors not shown may also have been reported. (4) Columns may not add up to 100% as accidents can have more than one contributory factor.

National Express East Coast

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much his Department has spent on (a) legal advice and (b) consultation on the National Express franchise since May 2010.

Theresa Villiers: holding answer 22 June 2011
	Since May 2010 we have entered into an agreement for external legal advice to be provided in relation to the National Express East Anglia contract to a maximum value of £30,000. The Department has not carried out a public consultation in relation to this franchise.

Railways: Finance

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much his Department has spent on work in respect of train operating companies and the rail franchises they currently hold or for which they are bidding since May 2010; and what estimate he has made of likely further expenditure in the remainder of the comprehensive spending review period.

Theresa Villiers: The Department does not hold the information in the form requested. Data on all external departmental spending, including those in connection with rail franchises are published regularly on the Department's website at
	www.dft.gov.uk/transparency
	In addition to this spending, the Department employs a number of staff to manage and advise on train operating companies and rail franchising as part of their duties. The Department does not maintain records of the internal costs associated with rail franchising or rail contact management as a separate line item in its overall staff cost base.

Railways: Franchises

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what savings to the public purse he estimates will arise from the letting of longer rail franchises.

Theresa Villiers: holding answer 27 June 2011
	The Secretary of State does not publish estimated costs of franchises as they are subject to commercial competitions.

Railways: Passengers

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport with reference to Network Rail's Route Utilisation Strategy, what plans his Department has to make provision for projected increases in passenger numbers to Birmingham up to 2020.

Theresa Villiers: 106 new Pendolino vehicles will be introduced on the Intercity West Coast franchise during the next 18 months and negotiations are currently taking place with London Midland regarding the additional capacity to be provided in the period up to 2014 on local services.
	Our plans beyond 2014 will be set out in 2012 and will take account of the Initial Industry Plan the rail industry intends to publish later this year.

Railways: Pennines

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the answer of 28 April 2011, Official Report, column 545W, on railways: rolling stock, whether the carriages for Trans Pennine Express are new or cascaded.

Theresa Villiers: The Department for Transport's intention is that the trains referred to in this answer operating on the Manchester-Scotland services will be new trains, although this is subject to reaching an acceptable commercial agreement with the parties concerned.

Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  whether he has received any representations on the effects of the renewable transport fuel obligation on the sustainable biodiesel industry;
	(2)  whether he has considered the merits of extending the price differential for the sustainable biodiesel sector as a transitional measure in implementing the renewable transport fuel obligation;
	(3)  whether he has made an assessment of the effects of the renewable transport fuel obligation on the sustainable biodiesel industry;
	(4)  what steps he plans to take to provide stability for the sustainable biodiesel industry after the end of the duty differential;
	(5)  what assessment his Department has made of the contribution of the 20 pence duty differential for biodiesel to meeting the UK's renewable energy targets.

Norman Baker: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 9 June 2011, Official Report, column 459W, to the hon. Member for Congleton (Fiona Bruce), by my right hon. Friend my hon. Friend the Member for Putney (Justine Greening), for the Government's position on the duty differential.
	Department for Transport Ministers have received representations from the sustainable biodiesel industry and officials meet regularly with a number of organisations to discuss a range of transport matters including the operation of the RTFO.
	As part of the Government's measures to address climate change, the renewable transport fuel obligation (RTFO) ensures a growing proportion of UK road transport fuels are from sustainable renewable sources. The RTFO includes a certificate trading mechanism to increase efficiency of compliance. The value of individual renewable transport fuel certificates is determined by the market and depends upon the relative cost of supplying biofuel and fossil fuels. We continue to monitor and report on the impact of the RTFO and consider that to date the RTFO has met its objective of driving a market for renewable transport fuels in the UK.
	We are currently considering responses to a consultation proposing amendments to the RTFO to implement the transport elements of the renewable energy directive. These proposals include providing twice the financial support to waste-derived biofuels as will be provided to conventional biofuels, through the award of two renewable transport certificates per litre of waste-derived biofuel. Crop-derived biofuels will continue to receive one certificate per litre and no support will be awarded to biofuels that do not meet required sustainability standards.
	There is no plan to have the 20p duty differential for used cooking oil-derived biodiesel in 2020. However, research undertaken on behalf of the Department of Energy and Climate Change suggests that there is a potential UK-sourced used cooking oil resource of around 250,000 tonnes per year. If all of this resource were to be used as biodiesel in the transport sector, this would contribute roughly 10% of the effort required to meet the renewable energy directive transport sector sub-target.

Rescue Services

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many sea rescues from each coastguard station took place in each of the last three years.

Michael Penning: Although no specific category of “sea rescues” is recorded, a detailed breakdown of the type of incident co-ordinated by each maritime rescue co-ordination centre in the years 2006-10 is available on the Maritime and Coastguard Agency's website at:
	http://www.dft.gov.uk/mca/mcga07-home/shipsandcargoes/consultations/mcga-consultations-archive/hm_coastguard_proposals_for_modernisation_consultation_ 2010/statistics_requested.htm

Rescue Services

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what account his Department took of the number of rescues made from each lifeboat station operated by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution in drawing up its proposals for the future of coastguard stations; and if he will make a statement.

Michael Penning: The consultation document published on 16 December 2010 proposes the re-organisation of how HM Coastguard delivers the co-ordination of civil maritime search and rescue (SAR) in the UK. As these proposals do not affect the day to day operational interface with partners such as the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), it was not appropriate for RNLI launches to have been a factor in their detailed development. These proposals envisage a national SAR co-ordination network which will enable Coastguards to co-ordinate incidents around the UK from any location.
	The RNLI is one of the key partners of Her Majesty's Coastguard and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency will continue to work in the closest co-operation with them to provide an excellent service dedicated to the saving of life at sea.

Roads: Accidents

Gareth Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many people have died due to dangerous driving incidents since 2009; and if he will make a statement.

Michael Penning: The number of deaths in reported road accidents, attributed to a driver convicted of dangerous driving, is not held by the Department for Transport.
	However, the Department publishes statistics on reported road accidents in Great Britain, where driver behaviour or inexperience were reported as contributing factors to the accident by the attending police officer. The latest available statistics on fatalities occurring in such accidents can be found in Table 4h (Article 4, pages 58-59) of Reported Road Casualties Great Britain: 2009. A copy has been placed in the Libraries of the House and a link is as follows:
	http://www2.dft.gov.uk/adobepdf/162469/221412/221549/227755/rrcgb2009.pdf

Roads: Safety

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what date he has set for the inaugural Road Safety Day; and how much funding he plans to allocate to publicise it.

Michael Penning: Road Safety Day is still under consideration and no decisions have been made. However, the Department will be considering how best to undertake this with other complementary initiatives next year.

Roads: Safety

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much he estimates the private sector will contribute to the THINK! road safety advertising campaign over the course of the comprehensive spending review period; and which private sector companies have agreed to provide funding to date.

Michael Penning: The Department for Transport does not receive cash sponsorship but we do receive ‘in kind' support from a range of organisations linking with the THINK! road safety campaign. This summer, Britvic is supporting THINK! Driver Friendly activity tackling drink driving and Infinity Motorcycles is supporting the motorcycle safety campaign. We have not finalised plans with other partners.

Rolling Stock: Procurement

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what guidance his Department provides on interoperability when procuring rolling stock.

Theresa Villiers: Authorisation by the Office of Rail Regulation is required before new rolling stock can be introduced on to the network. In order to obtain this authorisation rolling stock must comply with technical standards as set out in Technical Specifications for Interoperability and notified national technical rules. If requested, the Department provides advice on a case by case basis to rolling stock projects about the possible scope for derogations from standards.

Thameslink

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport for what reason the announcement of the preferred bidder for Thameslink was not made in line with the target in his Department's Departmental Plan.

Theresa Villiers: holding answer 9 June 2011
	The announcement of a preferred bidder for the Thameslink rolling stock has required careful consideration to ensure that the taxpayer receives best value for money and that the new trains are deliverable to support the overall Thameslink programme.

Train Operating Companies

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport on what dates he has met representatives of each train operating company since May 2010.

Theresa Villiers: The Secretary of State for Transport, the right hon. Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond), and his ministerial team regularly meet with train operating companies'. Details of formal meetings can be found at:
	http://www.dft.gov.uk/publications/ministerial-transparency/#meetings
	This list does not include additional informal contacts with train operators, for example at conferences, stakeholder events etc.

Transport: Finance

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he plans to set cost-reduction targets in the High Level Output Specification/Statement of Public Funds Available process.

Theresa Villiers: No decisions have been taken on the format of the 2012 High Level Output Specification, the Statement of Public Funds Available, nor therefore on any cost reduction target. When taken, decisions will take full account of Sir Roy McNulty's recommendations on delivering potential savings.

HEALTH

Aortic Aneurysm: Screening

Michael Connarty: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how many men screened under the NHS Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Screening Programme were subsequently referred for treatment since its inception;
	(2)  whether his Department has assessed the merits of including indicators on abdominal aortic aneurysm in the Quality and Outcomes Framework;
	(3)  what proportion of men offered screening under the NHS Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Screening Programme were subsequently screened in each programme area in each year since its inception.

Simon Burns: Abdominal aortic aneurysm screening is not a direct responsibility for general practitioners, therefore there is no merit in including abdominal aortic aneurysm screening within the Quality and Outcomes Framework, however the screening programme remains a priority and is included within the 2011-12 NHS Operating Framework for England.
	Since the introduction of the NHS Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Screening Programme in 2009, approximately 60,000 men aged 65 and over have been screened by the national programme and around 150 men have been referred to vascular surgeons.
	The following table shows the proportion of men who were screened in their 65th year after being invited by their local programme during each of the national programme's first two years of screening:
	
		
			 Programme Year Uptake (% of men offered screening who were tested) 
			 Gloucestershire 2009-10 92 
		
	
	
		
			 Leicestershire 2009-10 79 
			 South Manchester 2009-10 77 
			 South Devon and Exeter 2009-10 85 
			 South West London 2009-10 73 
			 West Sussex 2009-10 82 
			 Gloucestershire 2010-11 80 
			 Heart of England 2010-11 80 
			 Leicestershire 2010-11 72 
			 Greater Manchester 2010-11 67 
			 North Central London 2010-11 54 
			 Peninsula 2010-11 67 
			 South Devon and Exeter 2010-11 79 
			 South West London 2010-11 68 
			 West Sussex 2010-11 79

Cancer: Medical Treatments

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence to report on the treatment of very rare cancers; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Burstow: The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has published a number of pieces of guidance on the treatment of less common cancers. Further guidance relating to less common cancers is in development.
	Information on NICE's guidance on cancers is available at:
	http://guidance.nice.org.uk/Topic/Cancer

Dental Services

Natascha Engel: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the participation in the General Dental Council of the Chief Dental Officer in his official capacity; and if he will make a statement.

Simon Burns: Meetings of the General Dental Council are undertaken in public and the Chief Dental Officer attends meetings as an observer. There are clear benefits in ensuring an effective dialogue between the Chief Dental Officer as head of the dental profession and the regulatory body for dentists.
	The Council for Healthcare Regulatory Excellence (CHRE), which oversees the work of the regulatory bodies including the General Dental Council, has been asked to consider what constitutes good practice in terms of the process of making appointments to and the governance of the health professions' regulatory bodies. In light of CHRE's work, we will consider whether the existing arrangements continue to be appropriate.

Dental Services: Cumbria

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many dental practices which provide treatment (a) wholly and (b) partly under the NHS are operating in (i) Cumbria and (ii) the South Lakeland District Council area.

Simon Burns: This information is not collected centrally.

Dental Services: Standards

Natascha Engel: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received on the restrictions applying to the manufacture in the UK of dental devices made by untrained dental technicians registered (a) in the UK and (b) overseas.

Simon Burns: The only specific representations we have received were about the robustness of the requirement under the European Medical Devices Directive for an ‘authorised representative’ to certify that a dental appliance manufactured outside the European Economic Area complies with the directive. I understand that these representations were made last March at a meeting my noble Friend, the Under-Secretary of State and Government Spokesperson, Department of Health (The Earl Howe), held with the hon. Member and a dental technician working in her constituency. Although we recognise that some dental technicians are concerned about the adequacy of the regulatory framework for the manufacture of dental appliances, we have not received any complaints from patients about their quality.

Dental Services: Standards

Natascha Engel: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information his Department holds on the number and proportion of statements of conformity of dental devices supplied in the UK as set out in Article 11.6 and Annex VIII of 93/42/EC that correctly identified the manufacturer in the last 12 months.

Simon Burns: This information is not held centrally.

Dental Services: Standards

Natascha Engel: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency is taking to ensure patients are offered a statement of conformity of dental devices as set out in Article 11.6 and Annex VIII of 93/42/EC.

Simon Burns: The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has provided guidance on its website alerting patients to their right to be supplied on request with the statement of conformity for custom-made medical devices. The guidance was produced in consultation with the relevant trade and professional associations who also undertook to make it available on their own networks and is available at:
	www.mhra.gov.uk/Howweregulate/Devices/RevisionstothemedicaldevicesandAIMDDirectives/index.htm
	Any allegations of non-compliance with this requirement received will be assessed by MHRA and the appropriate action taken to rectify it.

Dentists: Training

Natascha Engel: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  whether he has assessed the level of demand for (a) a degree course in dental technology and (b) the inclusion of a technological component in dentist training courses;
	(2)  if he will take steps to ensure that training for dentists includes technical aspects of (a) dental restoration and (b) dental appliances.

Simon Burns: A BSc (Hons) degree in Dental Technology is already offered by Manchester Metropolitan university. We have no evidence to suggest that this course is not meeting demand for degree level training in dental technology. The degree is accredited by the General Dental Council (GDC) which is also responsible for assuring the quality of the training of dentists. The GDC is independent of government.

Food: Children

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information his Department holds on the average daily calorie intake of children in each (a) region, (b) local authority area, (c) primary care trust and (d) parliamentary constituency in each of the last five years.

Anne Milton: The Department does not hold information on the average daily calorie intake of children in each region, local authority area, primary care trust and parliamentary constituency in each of the last five years.
	The report of the National Diet and Nutrition survey 2008-09 contains information on average daily calorie (energy) intake of children. I refer the hon. Member to the written answer I gave him on 7 March 2011, Official Report, column 903-4W. This is based on a representative sample of children across the United Kingdom, but is not large enough to breakdown into the areas described.

Health Services: Nottinghamshire

Christopher Leslie: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS bodies (a) operate in Nottinghamshire and (b) will operate in Nottinghamshire after the entry into force of the provisions of the Health and Social Care Bill.

Simon Burns: The information requested is not held centrally.
	The Health and Social Care Bill does not dictate the number of national health service bodies in any part of the country. This will largely be a matter for the local NHS to determine.

Health Services: Nottinghamshire

Christopher Leslie: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the potential costs of NHS staff redundancies in (a) Nottingham and (b) Nottinghamshire arising from the implementation of his proposals for reform of the NHS.

Simon Burns: The impact assessment, published alongside the Health and Social Care Bill in January, estimated the cost of national health service redundancies in strategic health authorities and primary care trusts across England.
	The Department has not estimated a regional breakdown of these figures, as these will depend on local decisions.
	The impact assessment is available at:
	www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsLegislation/DH_123583
	A copy has already been placed in the Library.
	A revised impact assessment will be published when the Bill is introduced into the House of Lords. This is in line with parliamentary protocol.

Health Services: Overseas Visitors

Chris Skidmore: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much was owed to the NHS in unpaid bills incurred by foreign nationals in each financial year between 1997 and 2011; what the sum was of NHS bills incurred by foreign nationals in each year between 1997 and 2011; and what the nationalities were of those who incurred the bills in each case.

Simon Burns: The following table shows the total audited losses, bad debt and claims abandoned for overseas visitors for years which data are available, for England. As well as written off debt for foreign nationals who are not ordinarily resident in the United Kingdom, these data include written off debt for UK nationals who are not ordinarily resident here. Further, it does not include monies owed that hospitals are still in the process of attempting to recover. The Department does not hold data on the nationality of overseas visitors treated.
	
		
			 Bad debts and claims abandoned in respect of overseas patients 
			  £ 
			 2002-03 2,109,000 
			 2003-04 3,334,173 
			 2004-05 2,369,650 
			 2005-06 3,883,017 
			 2006-07 5,046,763 
			 2007-08 6,468,751 
			 2008-09 5,204,856 
			 2009-10 6,967,780 
			 Note: We do not collect data from national health service foundation trusts so figures exclude these sites. Source: NHS Trust Audited Summarisation Schedules.

HealthWatch: Freedom of Information

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 8 June 2011, Official Report, column 355W, on HealthWatch: freedom of information, whether he has made a decision on the addition of local HealthWatch organisations to the schedule of the Freedom of Information Act; and if he will make a statement.

Simon Burns: Subject to parliamentary approval, it is our intention to take steps to ensure that Local HealthWatch organisations will be subject to the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act 2000. The Department is currently working to establish the best way to achieve that outcome.

Heroin: Offenders

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of prisoners took a heroin overdose within two weeks of their release in the last 12 months for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Burstow: This information is not routinely collected centrally. A multi-site study of the integrated drug treatment system is due to report at the end of 2012. It will include measurement of drug-related death upon release among 20,000 heroin users.

Mental Health Services

Robert Buckland: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research his Department has undertaken on the effectiveness of (a) relational therapy and (b) dynamic counselling to treat depression and anxiety; what criteria are used to measure the effectiveness of such treatments; and what the measured level of effectiveness was for each such treatment in the latest period for which figures are available.

Paul Burstow: The Department has not funded research specifically on the effectiveness of relational therapy and dynamic counselling to treat depression and anxiety. The National Institute for Health Research Health Technology Assessment (HTA) programme produces independent research information about the effectiveness, costs and broader impact of healthcare treatments. The HTA programme has funded a range of research on psychological treatments for depression and anxiety. Details of these projects, including outcome measures and project findings, are available on the programme website at:
	www.hta.ac.uk/project/htapubs.asp

Midwives: Greater London

Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many midwives there were in each NHS primary care trust in London in each of the last five years.

Anne Milton: Information is not collected in the format requested.
	Primary care trusts (PCTs) do not generally employ midwives therefore the following table provides information for all national health service organisations in the London strategic health authority area who employ midwives.
	
		
			 NHS hospital and community health services: Qualified registered midwifes in London strategic health authority area by organisation, organisation type as at 30 September each specified year 
			 Headcount 
			2006 2007 2008 2009 2010  (1) 
			 London Strategic Health Authority area   4,307 4,407 4,785 4,866 5,020 
			         
			 Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust RF4 Acute 292 295 278 304 331 
			 Barnet and Chase Farm Hospitals NHS Trust RVL Acute 243 252 266 264 256 
			 Baits and The London NHS Trust RNJ Acute 115 123 138 172 186 
			 Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust RQM Acute 165 150 151 213 234 
		
	
	
		
			 Ealing Hospital NHS Trust RC3 Acute 45 156 106 111 108 
			 Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust RVR Acute 225 252 231 191 245 
			 Great Ormond Street Hospital For Children NHS Trust RP4 Acute 0 0 0 2 1 
			 Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust RJ1 Acute 342 278 305 286 281 
			 Homerton University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust RQX Acute 179 189 197 185 169 
			 Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust RYJ Acute 295 294 297 265 326 
			 King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust RJZ Acute 210 231 255 266 290 
			 Kingston Hospital NHS Trust RAX Acute 179 145 210 208 213 
			 Lewisham Hospital NHS Trust RJ2 Acute 143 136 154 124 138 
			 London Strategic Health Authority Q36 SHA 2 0 0 0 0 
			 Mayday Healthcare NHS Trust RJ6 Acute 141 128 259 198 125 
			 Newham PCT 5C5 PCT 0 0 0 1 0 
			 Newham University Hospital NHS Trust RNH Acute 156 188 203 211 198 
			 North Middlesex University Hospital NHS Trust RAP Acute 87 93 94 119 120 
			 North West London Hospitals NHS Trust RV8 Acute 116 120 117 124 150 
			 Royal Free Hampstead NHS Trust RAL Acute 131 97 113 129 110 
			 South London Healthcare NHS Trust RYQ Acute 387 381 327 360 365 
			 St George's Healthcare NHS Trust RJ7 Acute 143 165 205 169 260 
			 The Hillingdon Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust RAS Acute 145 157 130 143 158 
			 The Whittington Hospital NHS Trust RKE Acute 159 172 173 195 208 
			 Tower Hamlets PCT 5C4 PCT 1 1 1 1 0 
			 University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust RRV Acute 134 111 271 297 188 
			 Wandsworth PCT 5LG PCT 0 1 0 0 0 
			 West Middlesex University Hospital NHS Trust RFW Acute 127 136 139 154 176 
			 Westminster PCT 5LC PCT 0 0 0 0 3 
			 Whipps Cross University Hospital NHS Trust RGC Acute 145 156 165 174 184 
			 (1) 2010 headcount totals are unlikely to equal the sum of components. The new headcount methodology for 2010 data is not fully comparable with previous years' data due to improvements that make it a more stringent count of absolute staff numbers. Further information on the headcount methodology is available in the Census publication at: www.ic.nhs.uk/webfiles/publications/010_Workforce/nhsstaff0010/Census_Bulletin_March_2011_Final.pdf Note: Data Quality: The NHS Information Centre for health and social care seeks to minimise inaccuracies and the effect of missing and invalid data but responsibility for data accuracy lies with the organisations providing the data. Methods are continually being updated to improve data quality where changes impact on figures already published. This is assessed but unless it is significant at national level figures are not changed. Impact at detailed or local level is footnoted in relevant analyses. Source: The NHS Information Centre for health and social care Non-medical Workforce Census

Myeloma

Wayne David: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research his Department (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on myeloma in 2010-11; at what cost to the public purse; and what estimate he has made of the cost to the public purse of research on myeloma in each of the next three financial years.

Paul Burstow: The Department is fully committed to clinical and applied research into treatment and cures for cancer. The Department's National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) welcomes funding applications for research into any aspect of human health, including myeloma. These applications are subject to peer review and judged in open competition, with awards being made on the basis of the scientific quality of the proposals made. In all disease areas, the amount of NIHR funding depends on the volume and quality of scientific activity.
	The NIHR Clinical Research Network (CRN) is currently hosting 11 trials and other well-designed studies in myeloma that are in set-up or recruiting patients. Details can be found on the UK CRN portfolio database at:
	http://public.ukcrn.org.uk/search
	In partnership with Cancer Research UK, the NIHR funds 15 experimental cancer medicine centres (ECMCs) across England. In 2010-11, these centres reported participating in 20 myeloma studies.
	In 2010-11, the NIHR invested £18 million in the National Cancer Research Network and £5.7 million in ECMCs. Data for expenditure on myeloma research cannot be disaggregated from these figures.
	In addition, in 2010-11 the NIHR spent £0.9 million on research into myeloma through six of the NIHR biomedical research centres.

NHS Future Forum

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many and what proportion of those who participated in listening events with members of the NHS Future Forum were (a) employed by the NHS, (b) from the voluntary sector, (c) from private sector organisations and (d) members of the public.

Simon Burns: The Department does not hold information on individual attendees at all the events that took place as part of the NHS Listening Exercise. Approximate numbers of attendees were recorded. I refer the right hon. Member to the written answer I gave him on 29 June 2011, Official Report, columns 871-72W, which gives a description of the events held and provides an indication of the types of people who would have attended.

NHS Supply Chain Supplier Code of Conduct

Steve Brine: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the NHS Supply Chain Supplier Code of Conduct.

Simon Burns: NHS Supply Chain have commenced a review of how their ‘Supplier Code of Conduct' on Ethical and Sustainable Sourcing is applied to their procurement process for surgical instruments and how well suppliers can demonstrate adherence to it.
	In response to initial findings of this review NHS Supply Chain have enhanced their ‘Supplier Code of Conduct’ and are in the process of communicating this to all contracted surgical instrument suppliers. This new ‘Code of Conduct’ is available at:
	www.supplychain.nhs.uk/suppliers/code-of-conduct/

NHS: Procurement

Steve Brine: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance his Department issues to NHS hospitals on the ethical procurement of surgical equipment; and whether he plans to review that guidance.

Simon Burns: Guidelines for the national health service, the “Ethical Procurement for Health” workbook (and supporting materials), were issued on 16 May 2011 by the British Medical Association and Ethical Trading Initiative in partnership with the Department of Health.
	The Department encourages all NHS organisations to follow the advice within these materials as appropriate. The “Ethical Procurement for Health” workbook and materials will be reviewed periodically and in response to feedback as experience of practical application develops. The workbook can be accessed at:
	www.ethicaltrade.org/ethical-procurement-for-health

Ovarian Cancer: Health Education

Glenda Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will establish a national awareness campaign on ovarian cancer for the purposes of increasing early diagnosis; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Burstow: On 12 January 2011, we published “Improving Outcomes: A Strategy for Cancer”. The strategy sets out an ambition to save an additional 5,000 lives every year by 2014-15 through earlier diagnosis of cancer and improved access to screening and radiotherapy. To support earlier diagnosis of cancer, the Government have committed over £450 million over the next four years, which includes provision for the funding of awareness activity.
	We have already indicated that, subject to the evaluation of the regional pilots, the main focus for a national symptom awareness campaign this year would be bowel cancer. We are also planning to pilot new campaigns on other cancers and symptoms. We know that not all the 5,000 lives can be saved by tackling only common cancers.

Pancreatic Cancer

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  if he will take steps to increase awareness of pancreatic cancer in the (a) medical profession and (b) general public; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  if he will take steps to increase the early diagnosis of pancreatic cancer; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Burstow: On 12 January 2011 we published “Improving Outcomes: A Strategy for Cancer”, a copy of which has already been placed in the Library. The strategy sets out an ambition to save at least an additional 5,000 lives every year by 2014-15 through earlier diagnosis of cancer and improved access to screening and radiotherapy. To support earlier diagnosis of cancer, the Government have committed over £450 million over the next four years, which includes provision for the funding of awareness activity and measures to support general practitioners to diagnose cancer earlier.
	The strategy also sets out our commitment to work with a number of rarer cancer-focused charities to assess what more can be done to encourage appropriate referrals to secondary care and to diagnose rarer cancers earlier.
	Departmental officials have already met with a number of these charities, including a pancreatic cancer charity, with the aim of identifying some of the barriers to early diagnosis and to discuss potential solutions. This will inform our future work in this area.
	We have already indicated that, subject to the evaluation of the regional pilots, the focus for a national symptom awareness campaign this year would be bowel cancer. We are also planning to pilot new campaigns on other cancers and symptoms. We know that not all the 5,000 lives can be saved by tackling common cancers.

Pancreatic Cancer

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will increase the level of funding for research into the causes and treatment of pancreatic cancer; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Burstow: The Department is fully committed to clinical and applied research into treatment and cures for cancer. The Department's National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) welcomes funding applications for research into any aspect of human health, including pancreatic cancer. These applications are subject to peer review and judged in open competition, with awards being made on the basis of the scientific quality of the proposals made. In all disease areas, the amount of NIHR funding depends on the volume and quality of scientific activity.
	The NIHR Clinical Research Network (CRN) is currently hosting 10 trials and other well-designed studies in pancreatic cancer that are in set-up or recruiting patients. Details can be found on the UK CRN portfolio database at:
	http://public.ukcrn.org.uk/search

Peterborough Hospital: PFI

Stephen Barclay: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what the estimated cost in each cost category was of the (a) design, (b) construction and (c) annual operating costs of Peterborough city hospital on the date of signature of the private finance initiative contract;
	(2)  what changes were made to project specifications under the Peterborough city hospital private finance initiative agreement after the date the agreement was signed;
	(3)  what the (a) name is and (b) date of appointment was of each accounting officer for the Peterborough city hospital private finance initiative project since commencement of the design of the hospital;
	(4)  what estimate was made of the number of patients to be treated in the first year of operation at Peterborough city hospital at the time the contract for the project under the private finance initiative was signed.

Simon Burns: The information requested is a matter for Peterborough and Stamford Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. We have written to Nigel Hards, Chairman of Peterborough and Stamford Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust informing him of the hon. Member's enquiry. Mr Hards will reply shortly and a copy of the letter will be placed in the Library.

Peterborough Hospital: PFI

Stephen Barclay: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information his Department collects in respect of (a) the management of the Peterborough city hospital private finance initiative agreement and (b) the disposal of Peterborough district hospital.

Simon Burns: The Department collects information about Peterborough and Stamford Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust's private finance initiative project manager. The trust currently has a full-time project manager.
	The disposal of the site of the former Peterborough district hospital is a matter for the trust and is not something on which the Department routinely collects information. However, we understand that the trust remains committed to getting the best possible value for the site.

Prescription Drugs: Misuse

Eric Ollerenshaw: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what interests were declared by each author of the recently published National Addiction Centre report on addiction to prescribed medicine.

Anne Milton: All academic research is bound by strict codes of conduct such as the Research Councils UK policy and code of conduct on the governance of good research conduct and the UK Research Integrity Office code of conduct for research.
	The National Addictions Centre is part of King’s College London and as such is bound by the college's commitment to maintaining the highest possible standards of integrity and probity in the conduct of academic research. This includes a specific requirement for all possible conflicts of interest to be declared within any tender for externally commissioned work.
	The authors of the report published by the National Addiction Centre declared no conflicts of interest in their tender for the work commissioned by the Department.

Prescriptions

Chris Skidmore: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the cost to the NHS was of uncollected prescriptions in each financial year from 1997 to 2010.

Simon Burns: For uncollected prescriptions there is not an actual supply of a drug to a patient and thus there is no cost of the drug to the national health service.
	Where a patient presents a prescription form to a dispensing contractor for dispensing, the prescription item would then be prepared ready for collection. However, if the patient does not return to collect the item, a dispensing contractor cannot make a claim for reimbursement as the drug has not been supplied to the patient.

Radiotherapy

Tessa Munt: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  with reference to paragraph 6.12 of Improving Outcomes: A Strategy for Cancer, how much of the additional funding for radiotherapy capacity is to be made available to commissioners in the South West in each of the next four years;
	(2)  with reference to the recommendations on the tariff for lung cancer contained in the National Radiotherapy Implementation Group Report on Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy Treatment published in April 2011, on what date his Department's new cancer strategy will include such a tariff;
	(3)  with reference to the National Radiotherapy Implementation Group Report on Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy Treatment (SBRT) published in April 2011, what technologies the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has identified as appropriate for evaluation for SBRT; and on what date NICE will publish its findings;
	(4)  with reference to the National Radiotherapy Implementation Group Report on Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy Treatment (SBRT) published in April 2011, whether his Department's new cancer strategy will include a tariff for the SBRT recommended trials for cancers of the (a) pancreas, (b) oligometastases, (c) hepatic metastases, (d) kidney, (e) prostate, (f) head and neck, (g) liver and (h) spine.

Paul Burstow: “Improving Outcomes: A Strategy for Cancer” sets out our commitment to expand radiotherapy capacity by investing over £150 million in additional funding over the next four years. This additional funding was included in the financial settlement for the spending review period 2011-12 to 2014-15 and will be included in primary care trust (PCT) baseline allocations, alongside the existing funding for radiotherapy.
	Recurrent revenue allocations are currently made to PCTs on the basis of a weighted capitation formula, used to determine PCTs' target shares of available resources to enable them to commission similar levels of health services for populations in similar need. Funding for specific services is not identified at PCT-level, it is for PCTs to decide how to use their funding to commission services, including radiotherapy services, to meet the healthcare needs of their local populations, taking account of local and national priorities. We have said we will investigate the potential development of a range of tariffs to incentivise high quality, cost-effective services, including the newest radiotherapy techniques, once the standard radiotherapy tariff has been introduced. It is anticipated that a national currency for radiotherapy will be introduced for contracting in April 2012, with prices agreed locally. Feedback from the service on the use of these currencies will inform decisions on when it would be appropriate to introduce a mandatory national tariff, which is likely to be no earlier than 2013-14.
	The National Radiotherapy Implementation Group (NRIG) report, “Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy (SBRT) Guidelines for Commissioners, Providers and Clinicians in England 2011”, has now been made available on the National Cancer Action Team website at:
	www.ncat.nhs.uk/our-work/ensuring-better-treatment/radiotherapy
	The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) can now use the report to identify whether there are any indications for SBRT that would be appropriate for them to evaluate further via the Medical Technologies Advisory Committee or other programmes at NICE.

Ritalin: Children

Pat McFadden: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  if he will estimate the number of children who have been prescribed Ritalin or a similar drug;
	(2)  if he will estimate the number of children under the age of six who have been prescribed Ritalin or a similar drug; and if he will assess trends in the number of such prescriptions in the last five years;
	(3)  if he will estimate the number of children under the age of six in Wolverhampton who have been prescribed Ritalin or a similar drug;
	(4)  what guidance (a) his Department and (b) the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence issues to practitioners on the prescription of Ritalin and similar drugs to young children.

Anne Milton: I refer the right hon. Member to the answer I gave the right hon. Member for Birkenhead (Mr Field) on 4 April 2011, Official Report, column 684W.

Royal Brompton Hospital: Heart Diseases

Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the potential effects on children with severe asthma of the removal of children's heart services from the Royal Brompton hospital.

Simon Burns: The “Safe and Sustainable” review is being conducted by the NHS Specialised Commissioning Team. We have however been following its progress.
	No decision has yet been made on the location of children's heart surgery units. The proposed options for paediatric congenital heart services were consulted on between 1 March and 1 July 2011. The consultation questionnaire specifically asked for views on whether two or three centres would be the optimal number for London and, if two is preferred, which of the three centres should be designated.
	The consultation document made it clear that the Joint Committee of primary care trusts (JCPCT) will consider any evidence submitted about the potential impact for children who access other relevant clinical services (such as asthma). In response to concerns that have been set out by the board of the Royal Brompton and Harefield NHS Foundation Trust about the potential impact to paediatric respiratory services at the Royal Brompton hospital, the JCPCT has convened an expert clinical panel to investigate the issues and report to it in the autumn.
	We would expect the JCPCT, before taking a decision, to consider this report as well as an independent analysis of the consultation responses, reports from health overview and scrutiny committees, and a health impact assessment.
	Local health overview and scrutiny committees will also have a further opportunity to consider the analysis of the consultation and the health impact assessment and supplement their consultation responses by 5 October 2011.

St George's Healthcare NHS Trust

Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the potential effects on patient safety of reductions in services at St George's Healthcare NHS Trust.

Simon Burns: It is for the local national health service to decide how services should be delivered.
	Any reduction in health services should be planned and designed in discussion with, and supported by, local clinicians, including general practitioners to ensure the safety of services for patients at St George's Healthcare NHS Trust.

Tuberculosis: Drugs

Michael Connarty: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of NHS procurement, monitoring of supply and distribution capacity of drugs to treat tuberculosis;
	(2)  what recent assessment his Department has made of the risk of people developing drug resistant tuberculosis due to inconsistent supply of anti-tuberculosis drugs; and what steps his Department plans to take to ensure sufficient stocks of anti-tuberculosis drugs to meet demand.

Anne Milton: Medicine supply problems can occur for a number of reasons, such as manufacturing problems, difficulties in obtaining raw materials or regulatory problems. We understand that there have been problems with the supply of some medicines for tuberculosis (TB) and the Department is working with national health service colleagues to ensure that patients continue to get the medicines they need.
	The Health Protection Agency has advised that information about whether cases of drug resistant TB in this country may be associated with supply of TB drugs is not available.

Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust: Alexandra Hospital

Karen Lumley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what funding his Department allocated to Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust in 2010-11; and what proportion of such funding was provided to the Alexandra hospital.

Simon Burns: The Department has not allocated any funding directly to Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust in 2010-11. Rather, the Department currently makes revenue allocations to primary care trusts (PCTs). The most recent round of allocations to PCTs was for 2011-12. PCTs use the funding allocated to them to commission services to meet the health care needs of their local populations, taking account of local and national priorities. National health service trusts primarily derive income through the provision of health services to PCTs.

ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE

Electric Cables: Rural Areas

Tessa Munt: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what his policy is on granting permission for overhead pylons in non-urban areas; and what discussions he has had with the First Minister of Wales on this issue.

Charles Hendry: Government policy for consenting of overhead power lines in all landscapes is that proposals should be economic and efficient and that applicants, in formulating their proposals, should have regard to the desirability of preserving amenity and do what they reasonably can to mitigate visual impacts. Consenting policy for lines of 132 kV and above is set out in more detail in the finalised National Policy Statement for Electricity Networks Infrastructure EN-5 that was published on 23 June 2011 and laid before Parliament for debate and approval.
	I have not had specific discussions with the Welsh Government on this issue. At the British-Irish Council summit on 20 June, the Welsh First Minister, Carwyn Jones, raised the issue of pylons in Wales as part of a wider point on the impact of the UK Government energy policy on Wales. I have since written to the Welsh First Minister following his request for clarification of the major energy infrastructure planning regime for England and Wales.

Wind Power

Chris Heaton-Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what information his Department holds on the deployment potential of (a) onshore and (b) offshore wind by 2030.

Charles Hendry: The latest information that the Department holds is an independent study by Arup(1) on projected generation costs and deployment potential for 17 renewable electricity technologies—including onshore and offshore wind—to 2030. This was published by DECC on 10 June.
	The following table provides a summary of deployment potential for wind power from the Arup study:
	
		
			  Deployment potential by 2030—  installed capacity (GW) 
			 Technology Low scenario Medium scenario High scenario 
			 Onshore wind >5MW 15 17 24 
			 Onshore wind <5MW 0.8 1.3 1.7 
			 Offshore wind(2) 35 41 52 
		
	
	It should be noted that Arup's figures are non-financially constrained and for onshore wind do not take into account the availability of suitable sites.
	(1) Review of the generation costs and deployment potential of renewable electricity technologies in the UK.
	(2 )Offshore wind Round 2, Round 3, Scottish Territorial Waters.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

Prosecutions

Catherine McKinnell: To ask the Attorney-General in respect of how many offences of each type the Crown Prosecution Service applied the threshold test in making the decision to charge in each of the last five years.

Edward Garnier: The number and percentage of defendants charged under the threshold test is provided in the following table. The pre-charge decisions total includes the number of cases referred to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) that were subsequently either charged, sent for further information, led to an out of court disposal or ended in no further action.
	The CPS is unable to provide these data by offence type. This information is held on individual case files and could only be retrieved by locating and then examining every relevant file in every CPS office in England and Wales which would incur a disproportionate cost.
	
		
			   Threshold test 
			  Total pre-charge decisions Number Percentage 
			 2007-08 547,050 34,336 6.3 
			 2008-09 532,427 31,913 6.0 
			 2009-10 477,517 29,193 6.1 
			 2010-11 466,611 29,296 6.3

Prosecutions: Human Trafficking

Peter Bone: To ask the Attorney-General how many prosecutions were brought by the Crown Prosecution Service for human trafficking in the last year for which figures are available; and how many such cases resulted in a conviction.

Edward Garnier: The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) records show that in the last year 96 prosecutions have been brought on charges under sections 57, 58 and 59 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003, alleging trafficking for the purposes of sexual exploitation, and 20 prosecutions under section 4 of the Asylum and Immigration (Treatment of Claimants) Act 2004, alleging trafficking for other exploitative purposes. The CPS records indicate the volume of offences, not defendants, prosecuted by the CPS under each Act. These data are not held by defendant or by outcome; therefore we are unable to provide information on how many of these prosecutions resulted in a conviction.

Public Bodies: Human Rights

Jesse Norman: To ask the Attorney-General what recent assessment he has made of proceedings in relation to public authorities under article 8 of schedule 1 to the Human Rights Act 1998.

Edward Garnier: The Law Officers have not made a recent assessment of legal proceedings concerning the right to respect for private and family life provided by article 8 of the European convention on human rights. As the Government's chief legal advisers responsible for overseeing all government litigation, the Attorney-General and I are regularly updated about legal proceedings raising article 8 and other convention right issues.

Serious Fraud Office

Hugh Bayley: To ask the Attorney-General what additional resources he plans to make available to the Serious Fraud Office to enable it to (a) train its staff, (b) advise businesses and (c) fulfil its responsibilities to investigate and prosecute cases under the Bribery Act 2010.

Edward Garnier: The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) has made comprehensive plans to ensure that they will meet all the requirements of the new Bribery Act within their current resource plans.
	The SFO will continue with their detailed training for their staff with regards to the Bribery Act.
	So far staff from the SFO have attended over 100 events and provided advice to many businesses and their advisors on the impact of the Bribery Act. The SFO will continue to advise and support businesses to ensure they are able to comply with the Bribery Act.

BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS

Business: Industrial Health and Safety

Gordon Banks: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills 
	(1)  if he will assess the merits of implementing the recommendation of the Davidson Review that the Health and Safety Executive should consider exempting the self-employed in low-risk sectors from certain health and safety legislation;
	(2)  what assessment he has made of the effect of the administrative burden of health and safety regulations on the priority given by businesses to (a) compliance with legislation and (b) the implementation of effective health and safety measures; and if he will make a statement.

Mark Prisk: holding answer 4 July 2011
	I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 28 June 2011, Official Report, column 727W, to my hon. Friend the Member for North West Leicestershire (Andrew Bridgen).
	The Department—the Better Regulation Executive in particular—has an established working relationship with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and I am delighted that this Government are implementing the recommendations from my noble Friend Lord Young of Graffhams recent review of Health and Safety in the UK.

Business: Loans

Christopher Leslie: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills pursuant to the answer of 22 June 2011, Official Report, column 344W, on business: loans, what initial assessment the Government made during the Merlin negotiations of the additional amount banks could lend in 2011 compared with 2010.

Mark Prisk: holding answer 30 June 2011
	I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 22 June 2011, Official Report, column 344W.
	In discussion with the Government, the main UK banks committed to put in place new lending capacity of £190 billion for businesses in 2011, compared with actual lending in 2010 of £179 billion. The banks also agreed to make £76 billion of this new lending capacity available to UK small and medium sized businesses for 2011, an increase of 15% on what they lent in 2010.
	As stated in the Merlin agreement,
	“With respect to UK small and medium sized businesses, the banks' original expectations were that demand would be lower in 2011 than in 2010 [...]. However, taking account of the dialogue which has brought about this agreement, which has at its core a shared objective to support economic recovery in the UK, these five banks have agreed to aim to foster more demand, such that their intention for gross new lending in 2011 is now higher than what was actually delivered in 2010, recognising that this will involve extensive work to overcome the challenges noted above.”

Departmental Billing

John Denham: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many invoices received by his Department were paid (a) on time and (b) late in each month since May 2010; and what the monetary value was of invoices paid late.

Edward Davey: Since May 2010 the Department has reported performance against two prompt payment targets. The first being a 30 calendar day contractual target and the second covering the Government's aim to pay as many invoices as possible within five working days. The figures for each covering the period May 2010 to May 2011 inclusive are as follows:
	
		
			 Payments made within 30 calendar days 
			  Number £ 
			 Total number of invoices paid and value 28,839 19,315,256,196 
			 Total number and value of invoices paid within 30 days 28,779 19,314,679,625 
			 Total number and value of invoices paid over 30 days 60 576,571 
		
	
	
		
			 Payments made with  in   five working days 
			  Number £ 
			 Total number of invoices paid and value 26,327 7,525,712,240 
			 Total number and value of invoices paid within five days 22,791 7,097,314,000 
			 Total number and value of invoices paid over five days 3,536 428,398,240 
		
	
	For information, payments made within the 30 calendar days contractual period cover invoices submitted from all organisations. Payments made within five working days exclude invoices submitted by Government Departments, partner organisations and foreign currency payments. In addition, payments made via Government Procurement Card where an invoice is not submitted are excluded from the figures in the tables.

Departmental Official Cars

Stephen Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what the cost to his Department and its predecessors was of the provision of Ministerial cars in each financial year between 2000-01 and 2010-11; how many (a) cars for the exclusive use of Ministers and (b) Ministerial car journeys were paid for by his Department in each such year; what the average cost to his Department of a Ministerial car journey was in each such year; and what steps his Department has taken to reduce the cost of Ministerial cars since his appointment.

Edward Davey: Information on the cost and number of ministerial cars is published in the annual written ministerial statement, details of which can be found within the Libraries of the House.
	2005/06
	http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200607/cmhansrd/cm070726/wmstext/70726m0004.htm
	2006/07
	http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200607/cmhansrd/cm070726/wmstext/70726m0004.htm
	2007/08
	http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200708/cmhansrd/cm080722/wmstext/80722m0008.htm
	2008/09
	http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200809/cmhansrd/cm090716/wmstext/90716m0009.htm
	2009/10
	http://www.dft.gov.uk/press/speechesstatements/statements/hammond20101028a
	Details of the costs for 2010-11 are being compiled and due for release later this month.
	Information prior to 2005 is not available and would be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
	Information relating to individual ministerial car journeys prior to September 2010 is not available as there was no requirement to collect these data.
	Please find following information relating to the number of ministerial car journeys made since the introduction of the ‘on-demand’ Ministerial Car Service on 6 September 2010 and up until 31 March 2011.
	
		
			 Attorney-General's Office 
			  Number of jobs 
			 September 2010 11 
			 October 2010 23 
			 November 2010 31 
			 December 2010 19 
			 January 2011 11 
			 February 2011 18 
			 March 2011 25 
			 Total 138 
		
	
	
		
			 Cabinet Office 
			  Number of jobs 
			 September 2010 114 
			 October 2010 113 
			 November 2010 126 
			 December 2010 58 
			 January 2011 53 
			 February 2011 39 
			 March 2011 58 
			 Total 561 
		
	
	
		
			 Department for Business, Innovation and Skills 
			  Number of jobs 
			 September 2010 91 
			 October 2010 83 
			 November 2010 102 
			 December 2010 49 
			 January 2011 4 
			 February 2011 2 
			 March 2011 3 
			 Total 334 
		
	
	
		
			 Department for Communities and Local Government 
			  Number of jobs 
			 September 2010 63 
			 October 2010 62 
			 November 2010 101 
			 December 2010 63 
			 January 2011 65 
			 February 2011 80 
			 March 2011 123 
			 Total 557 
		
	
	
		
			 Department for Culture, Media and Sport 
			  Number of jobs 
			 September 2010 3 
			 October 2010 3 
			 November 2010 3 
			 February 2011 2 
			 March 2011 1 
			 Total 12 
		
	
	
		
			 Department for Education 
			  Number of jobs 
			 September 2010 47 
			 October 2010 67 
			 November 2010 84 
			 December 2010 53 
			 January 2011 68 
			 February 2011 32 
			 March 2011 75 
			 Total 426 
		
	
	
		
			 Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) 
			  Number of jobs 
			 September 2010 2 
			 October 2010 4 
			 November 2010 10 
			 December 2010 4 
			 January 2011 4 
			 March 2011 6 
			 Total 30 
		
	
	
		
			 Department for International Development 
			  Number of jobs 
			 September 2010 66 
			 October 2010 80 
			 November 2010 98 
			 December 2010 53 
			 January 2011 59 
			 February 2011 93 
			 March 2011 96 
			 Total 545 
		
	
	
		
			 Department for Transport 
			  Number of jobs 
			 September 2010 29 
			 October 2010 29 
			 November 2010 40 
			 December 2010 26 
			 January 2011 30 
			 February 2011 25 
			 March 2011 47 
			 Total 226 
		
	
	
		
			 Department for Work and Pensions 
			  Number of jobs 
			 September 2010 36 
			 October 2010 29 
			 November 2010 48 
			 December 2010 33 
			 January 2011 36 
			 February 2011 48 
			 March 2011 63 
			 Total 293 
		
	
	
		
			 Department of Energy and Climate Change 
			  Number of jobs 
			 September 2010 30 
			 October 2010 23 
			 November 2010 37 
			 December 2010 23 
			 January 2011 46 
			 February 2011 43 
			 March 2011 57 
			 Total 259 
		
	
	
		
			 Department of Health 
			  Number of jobs 
			 September 2010 67 
			 October 2010 75 
			 November 2010 105 
			 December 2010 69 
			 January 2011 83 
			 February 2011 71 
			 March 2011 122 
		
	
	
		
			 Total 592 
		
	
	
		
			 Foreign and Commonwealth Office 
			  Number of jobs 
			 September 2010 111 
			 October 2010 30 
			 November 2010 10 
			 December 2010 1 
			 January 2011 1 
			 February 2011 7 
			 March 2011 1 
			 Total 161 
		
	
	
		
			 Her Majesty’s Treasury 
			  Number of jobs 
			 September 2010 39 
			 October 2010 65 
			 November 2010 50 
			 December 2010 34 
			 January 2011 33 
			 February 2011 30 
			 March 2011 45 
			 Total 296 
		
	
	
		
			 Home Office 
			  Number of jobs 
			 September 2010 86 
			 October 2010 59 
			 November 2010 71 
			 December 2010 83 
			 January 2011 65 
			 February 2011 65 
			 March 2011 100 
			 Total 529 
		
	
	
		
			 House of Commons 
			  Number of jobs 
			 February 2011 1 
			 Total 1 
		
	
	
		
			 House of Lords 
			  Number of jobs 
			 September 2010 9 
			 October 2010 4 
			 November 2010 11 
			 December 2010 4 
			 January 2011 1 
			 March 2011 2 
			 Total 31 
		
	
	
		
			 Ministry of Defence 
			  Number of jobs 
			 March 2011 1 
			 Total 1 
		
	
	
		
			 Ministry of Justice 
			  Number of jobs 
			 September 2010 78 
			 October 2010 103 
		
	
	
		
			 November 2010 126 
			 December 2010 75 
			 January 2011 91 
			 February 2011 90 
			 March 2011 120 
			 Total 683 
		
	
	
		
			 Northern Ireland Office 
			  Number of jobs 
			 September 2010 8 
			 October 2010 23 
			 November 2010 43 
			 December 2010 29 
			 January 2011 27 
			 February 2011 29 
			 March 2011 40 
			 Total 199 
		
	
	
		
			 Scotland Office 
			  Number of jobs 
			 September 2010 3 
			 October 2010 6 
			 November 2010 6 
			 December 2010 14 
			 February 2011 1 
			 March 2011 2 
			 Total 32 
		
	
	
		
			 Welsh Office 
			  Number of jobs 
			 September 2010 22 
			 October 2010 23 
			 November 2010 17 
			 December 2010 1 
			 January 2011 4 
			 February 2011 5 
			 March 2011 2 
			 Total 74

Diamond Review

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills when he expects to receive the Diamond review; what the terms of reference of the review are; and if he will make a statement.

David Willetts: holding answer 4 July 2011
	The Efficiency and Modernisation Task Group, led by Professor Ian Diamond of the University of Aberdeen, was set up by Universities UK. I understand that the full report of the Task Group will be delivered in July 2011.

Higher Education

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what the (a) terms of reference and (b) timeline is for the consultation on a new regulatory framework for higher education; and if he will make a statement.

David Willetts: holding answer 4 July 2011
	The reforms set out in the Higher Education White Paper will open up higher education, making higher education institutions more accountable to students. To support this, and provide the right safeguards, we will reform the regulatory framework. We intend to consult on our proposals for a single, transparent regulatory framework, including removal of barriers to entry, to cover all institutions that want to be part of the English higher education system from August until October 2011.

Higher Education: Admissions

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many places for undergraduates he expects to be available in each university in 2011-12.

David Willetts: This information is not available. We do not plan for the number of students at an institutional level. The actual number of places on undergraduate courses will depend on the decisions of individual universities. We expect the total number of places on all courses in 2011/12 to be broadly similar to 2010/11. The December 2010 Grant Letter to the Higher Education Funding Council for England asked for continued provision of the 10,000 additional entrant places made available to the sector through the University Modernisation Fund in May 2010.

Higher Education: Admissions

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what modelling his Department has undertaken on the effects on higher education institutions of (a) allowing unrestricted recruitment of students scoring the equivalent of AAB or above at A level and (b) the creation of a flexible margin of 20,000 places in 2012-13; and if he will make a statement.

David Willetts: The impact assessment of the proposals in the Higher Education White Paper can be found on our website. This includes modelling on the policy of allowing unrestrained recruitment of highly qualified students, and the creation of a margin of 20,000 places.
	We have asked the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) to consult, immediately, on how to implement these approaches and to develop the necessary mechanisms. We have also asked HEFCE to monitor the impact of the approach and its effect on supply and demand and provide advice, as soon as feasible, on how the model is operating in its first year.

Higher Education: Manpower

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many full-time equivalent staff were employed by the (a) Quality Assurance Agency, (b) Office for Fair Access, (c) Higher Education Funding Council for England and (d) Office of the Independent Adjudicator in each of the last three years; how many he estimates will be employed by each such body in each year of the comprehensive spending review period; and if he will make a statement.

David Willetts: The following table shows the number of full-time equivalent staff employed by the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) and Office For Fair Access (OFFA) on 31 March 2009, 2010 and 2011. Both organisations are responsible for taking decisions on staffing numbers in the light of the priorities and resources the Government give them. The Government's recent White Paper on higher education proposed significant reforms to the functions of both HEFCE and OFFA and future staff numbers will need to be determined following final decisions here.
	
		
			 FTE at: 31 March 2009 31 March 2010 31 March 2011 
			 HEFCE 246.6 252.1 252 
			 OFFA 3.9 3.9 (1)3.9 
			 (1) As of 30 June 2011 OFFA have employed an additional two staff on fixed-term contracts. 
		
	
	The Quality Assurance Agency and Office of the Independent Adjudicator are independent bodies and the Department does not hold this information.

Higher Education: Pay

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many staff employed by the (a) Student Loans Company, (b) Office of the Independent Adjudicator, (c) Higher Education Funding Council for England, (d) Quality Assurance Agency and (e) Office for Fair Access received salaries greater than (i) £65,000, (ii) £100,000, (iii) £200,000 and (iv) £250,000 in (A) 2011-12 and (B) each of the last three years; and if he will make a statement.

David Willetts: The following table shows how many staff employed by the Student Loans Company, Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) and Office For Fair Access (OFFA) received the stipulated salaries for the years requested.
	
		
			 FTE salaries £65,000-£99,999 £100,000-£199,999 £200,000-£249,999 >£250,000 
			 2011/12     
			 HEFCE 19 3 1 0 
			 OFFA 0 1 0 0 
			 SLC 10 7 0 0 
			      
			 2010/11     
			 HEFCE 20 3 1 0 
			 OFFA 0 1 0 0 
			 SLC 10 8 0 0 
			      
			 2009/10     
			 HEFCE 19 3 1 0 
			 OFFA 0 1 0 0 
			 SLC 9 6 0 0 
			      
			 2008/09     
			 HEFCE 12 3 1 0 
			 OFFA 0 1 0 0 
			 SLC 8 6 0 0 
			 Note: Context for OFFA figures: The director is appointed by the Secretary of State currently working 0.4 full-time employment (FTE). The director's FTE salary has been illustrated above. His salary for 0.4 FTE falls below £65,000. 
		
	
	The Quality Assurance Agency and Office of the Independent Adjudicator are independent bodies and the Department does not hold this information.

Motor Vehicles: EU Law

Oliver Colvile: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what representations he has received on the implications for multi-branded car dealerships of the removal of the 2002 motor vehicle Block Exemption Regulation.

Edward Davey: I have received a number of representations from hon. Members of Parliament, enclosing correspondence from dealerships in their constituencies.

Motor Vehicles: EU Law

Oliver Colvile: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills if he will assess the potential effect on consumers of the proposed changes to the relationship between car manufacturers and dealerships under the 2010 motor vehicle Block Exemption Regulation ((EU)461/2010).

Edward Davey: I have no plans to assess the potential effects of the revised regulation.

Motor Vehicles: Industry

John Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills pursuant to the answer of 17 June 2011, Official Report, column 972W, on motor vehicles: industry, what discussions he has had with other Government Departments on the purchase by those Departments of motor vehicles produced in Britain.

Mark Prisk: The Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, my right hon. Friend the Member for Twickenham (Vince Cable) has had no discussions on this matter with other Government Departments.

Motor Vehicles: Retail Trade

Oliver Colvile: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills if he will make representations to the European Commission on the effect on consumers of the absence of a Europe-wide code of conduct for franchised motor retailing.

Edward Davey: I have no plans to do so, but, I would encourage manufacturers and retailers to engage constructively with the European Commission in developing their own proposals.

Overseas Trade: Employment

Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills whether he has made an assessment of the number of jobs in the UK which are dependent on trade with (a) Eurozone countries, (b) Brazil, (c) Russia, (d) India, (e) China and (f) the US.

Mark Prisk: Estimates of the number of jobs in the UK which are dependent on trade with the Eurozone, Brazil, Russia, India, China or the US have not been made.
	The EU is vital to the UK's growth and prosperity, with European markets accounting for half of the UK's overall exports of goods and services. Eight out of the UK's 10 main export markets are in the EU. BIS has estimated that 3.5 million jobs are linked directly or indirectly to the UK's trade with the EU. This is based on the assumption that the share of UK employment linked to trade with the EU is equal to the share of total UK value added generated in the production of goods exported to the EU.

Public Services: Private Sector

Nick Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills if he will direct his Department's review of business models of companies that provide public services to consider the effects on funding for people in residential care of reductions in local authority budgets.

Chuka Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills with reference to his Department's investigation into the role of private equity firms in supplying public services, what the remit is of the investigation; when the investigation will be completed; whether the findings of the investigation will be published; and if he will make a statement following the completion of the investigation.

Mark Prisk: holding answer 21 June 2011
	Following initial consideration by officials in the Department, I have written to Cabinet Office Ministers to ensure that the Open Public Services White Paper sets out plans for Departments to develop regimes to detect and cope with potential failure in key public service provision, and that these plans include appropriate consideration of financial risks.

Repayment Acceleration

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how long the consultation on early repayment acceleration will last; how it will be conducted; what its terms of reference will be; and if he will make a statement.

David Willetts: holding answer 4 July 2011
	The Government are consulting on whether there should be a charge for the early repayment of loans, and on an early repayment mechanism that would allow those who wish to pay off their loans early or make voluntary contributions to do so without undermining the progressiveness of the system.
	This consultation will end on 20 September 2011.
	Interested parties can access the consultation material via the BIS website
	http://discuss.bis.gov.uk/hereform/
	Responses or questions about the consultation can be sent direct to BIS by e-mail
	he.consultation@bis.gsi.gov.uk
	by standard mail at the address given, or through the consultation website.

Students: Fees and Charges

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what assessment he has made of the effects of the level of fees a university can expect to receive from (a) home students, (b) non-EU students and (c) EU students on admissions decisions by universities.

David Willetts: No such assessment has been undertaken. The Government are committed to the principle, which is underpinned in law, that decisions about admission to university are a matter for individual universities, and not for Government. The Office for Fair Access will ensure that universities wanting to charge over £6,000 for any of its courses will promote access to higher education for students from under-represented backgrounds. Students from outside the EU are not in competition for places with British students. Their places are in addition to the funded places available to home and EU students.

Students: Fees and Charges

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what recent estimate he has made of the number of universities which will charge £9,000 per year for undergraduate courses.

David Willetts: 140 institutions have indicated their intention to charge over £6,000 for at least one of their courses by submitting an access agreement for 2012-13 to the Office for Fair Access (OFFA). This comprises 123 higher education institutions and 17 further education colleges. The Director of Fair Access has said he will be making his announcements on approved access agreements by 12 July.

JUSTICE

Criminal Injuries Compensation

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority cases have been ongoing for more than (a) six, (b) 12 and (c) 24 months.

Jonathan Djanogly: The information requested is as follows:
	
		
			 Ongoing for Number of cases 
			 Between six and 12 months 11,134 
			 Between 12 and 24 months 8,671 
			 More than 24 months 5,823

Custody: Step-families

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what guidance his Department provides to courts on applications by step-parents for legal custody of children where the child has regular contact with its natural parents; and if he will make a statement.

Jonathan Djanogly: Section 8 of the Children Act 1989 enables the court to make four types of order in respect of children. One of these is a residence order to determine with whom a child should live. The court may make a residence order with respect to a child if an application has been made (i) by a person who is entitled to apply for a section 8 order, or (ii) a person who has obtained the leave of the court to make the application. The court may also make an order without application if it considers that an order should be made.
	Under section 10 (5) (a) and (aa) of the Children Act a person who is married or in a civil partnership with a person in relation to whom the child is a child of the family—that is, a step-parent—may apply for a residence or contact order in respect of the child.
	There is no specific guidance to the courts in respect of applications by step-parents. When considering whether to make a residence order, the welfare needs of the child are the paramount consideration for the court. The court will take into account all the facts put before it in reaching a decision.

Departmental Billing

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what proportion of invoices from small and medium-sized businesses were paid by his Department within five working days of receipt in the last 12 months for which figures are available.

Kenneth Clarke: For the 12 month period from June 2010 to May 2011, the Ministry of Justice paid 81.9% of all invoices within five working days of receipt of the invoice.
	The Department does not currently record and publish information about the size of suppliers as this does not fully reflect the number and size of businesses engaged in supplying goods and services. We do not discriminate by size of business because many small and medium-sized enterprises can be found within larger supply chains.
	Details of the Ministry's prompt payment performance are publicly available on the MOJ website at:
	http://www.justice.gov.uk/about/procurement-and-commercial/payment-performance.htm

Departmental Freedom of Information

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many requests under the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 his Department received from (a) hon. Members from each political party and (b) members of the public in each year since the Act's entry into force.

Kenneth Clarke: The Department does not collect statistics about the background of individual requesters. This is because the Freedom of Information Act is applicant and motive blind and therefore it is not necessary to record or determine whether a requester is a Member of Parliament or member of the public.
	The Ministry of Justice publishes quarterly and annual statistics on the volume, timeliness and outcome of information requests received by over 40 central Government bodies. These statistics show that the Department has received the following number of requests per year since its creation in 2007:
	
		
			  Number of FOI requests received 
			 2007 1,427 
			 2008 2,492 
			 2009 2,899 
			 2010 3,174 
		
	
	In the first quarter of 2011 (1 January to 31 March inclusive) the Ministry of Justice received 847 FOI requests.
	Prior to the creation of the Ministry of Justice, its predecessor, the Department for Constitutional Affairs, received the following number of requests per year:
	
		
			  Number of FOI request received 
			 2005 602 
			 2006 712

Departmental Location

Karen Lumley: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice whether he has discussed relocation of his staff from London with Redditch council.

Kenneth Clarke: The Ministry of Justice has previously been in communication with Redditch council, following correspondence received from them in April 2010, regarding an earlier strategy to relocate posts outside London. However, the decision that we focus on the existing estate and its rationalisation was taken on the basis of financial considerations, with any plans to be revisited at a later stage.

Family Courts

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice by what mechanism children's views are represented in the family court system.

Jonathan Djanogly: Where the court is proposing to make, vary or discharge (i) an order under section 8 of the Children Act 1989 for contact, residence, a specific issue or a prohibited steps order (private law cases) and this is opposed by any party to the proceedings, or (ii) an order under Part IV of the Act for a care or supervision order or other connected matters (public law cases) then the court must have regard to the factors set out at section 1(3) of the Act, commonly known as the ‘welfare checklist’. Ascertaining the wishes and feelings of the child concerned, in the light of their age and understanding, is one of those factors.
	The court can seek the help of the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (CAFCASS or CAFCASS Cymru in Wales) to fulfil its responsibility to take account of the ascertainable wishes and feelings of children who are the subject of family proceedings. CAFCASS or CAFCASS Cymru officers will meet with children and families, and report to the court in order to fulfil this role.
	In cases where there are disputes between parents about future arrangements for their children, more than one meeting may need to take place. The court also has powers under the Family Procedure Rules 2010 to make a child a party to the proceedings, enabling the child to have separate legal representation, where the circumstances of the case dictate that this will be in the child's best interests.
	In public law cases, where a local authority has made an application to take a child into care, the court will appoint a CAFCASS or CAFCASS Cymru officer to the role of guardian for the child. Children's guardians will represent the interests of the child in court, and will also instruct a solicitor to represent the child in circumstances where the child is too young, or is unable to do so themselves.
	Where a court determines any question in relation to the upbringing of a child, the Children Act 1989 requires the court to make the welfare of the child its paramount consideration. The wishes and feelings of the child, so far as these are ascertainable, are an important consideration but will not necessarily be the determining factor in any decision made by the court.

Family Courts: Mediation

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what his Department's policy is on enabling legally-aided mediation in relation to family disputes to include the agreement of a child support arrangement in addition to the resolution of the dispute for which legal aid was granted; what assessment he has made of the interrelationship of legally-aided family mediation and child maintenance support services to be provided by the Department for Work and Pensions; and if he will make a statement.

Jonathan Djanogly: Under the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill, which we introduced on 21 June, legal aid will remain available for mediation in private family law cases, which includes disputes about financial provision for children. The Ministry of Justice, Department for Work and Pensions and Department for Education are working together, as we develop our respective plans to support families, to ensure that the systems for supporting separating parents are co-ordinated.

Family Courts: Telephone Services

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many people made use of family court call centres in 2010-11; and what information his Department holds on the types of subjects on which advice was sought.

Jonathan Djanogly: Her Majesty's Courts and Tribunals Service does not have a contact centre function dedicated to dealing with family court queries. However we are currently piloting the use of contact centres to deal with the whole range of county court business and exploring how we can develop this type of facility for our business more generally.
	In April 2010 a telephony helpdesk pilot was set up to test the feasibility of centralised call handling. The pilot was based at Coventry county court and from April 2010 until January 2011 managed all telephone inquiries for county courts including Coventry, Nuneaton, Stratford, Rugby and Warwick. In addition, in January 2011 the helpdesk began to take telephone inquiries for Croydon county court.
	For the period April 2010 to March 2011, the helpdesk received a total 62,978 calls. This figure represents the number of calls received for both civil and family business. Information on the number or proportion of calls which related to family business is not held. All family business calls with the exception of adoption inquiries, which are referred back to specialist teams in courts, were dealt with at the helpdesk.
	In parallel with this pilot we have also established a centralised telephone call function for all county court work in two other areas. In Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Thames Valley a central contact centre dealt with approximately 129,000 calls between April 2010 and March 2011. In Cambridgeshire, Essex, Norfolk and Suffolk a central contact centre answered approximately 210,000 calls during the same period. Again we do not have a breakdown of the split of calls between civil and family work.

Family Courts: Termination of Employment

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many legal advisers have (a) resigned and (b) been made (i) compulsorily and (ii) voluntarily redundant from family courts in 2010-11.

Jonathan Djanogly: In Her Majesty's Courts Service (HMCS), legal advisers are trained and work multi-jurisdictionally across adult crime, youth and family courts. While a legal adviser may specialise in family work they often still work on other types of cases and for this reason it is not possible to give figures for legal advisers who have left family courts in isolation. The following figures relate to legal advisers in all jurisdictions who left HMCS in 2010-11.
	(a) 12 resignations
	(b) (i) No compulsory redundancies
	(b) (ii) No voluntary redundancies
	While no legal advisers left through voluntary or compulsory redundancy, HMCS ran a Voluntary Early Departure Scheme, with terms similar to voluntary redundancy as stipulated in the Civil Service Compensation Scheme, under which 88 legal advisers left in 2010-11.

Family Courts: Termination of Employment

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice whether he has any plans for redundancies amongst managers of legal advisers in family courts.

Jonathan Djanogly: There are currently no plans to make legal advisers in the family proceedings court redundant.

Homicide: Young Offenders

Mike Wood: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many persons aged 16 to 18 at the time of conviction for (a) murder or (b) manslaughter that were subsequently released on licence have been recalled to custody following commission of a further offence or for a breach of the licence in each of the last 10 years.

Crispin Blunt: There were nine offenders aged 16 to 18 years when convicted for murder and subsequently released on licence who were recalled to custody following a breach of licence conditions in 2010. Of these, two had committed a further offence, neither of which were defined as serious further offences as set out in ‘Probation Circular 22/2008—Revised Notification and Review Procedures for Serious Further Offences’.
	During 2010, no offenders aged between 16 and 18 years at conviction were recalled to custody while on licence for manslaughter.
	Detailed data on recalls before 2010 are not held centrally in an electronic format. To provide these data would require a manual trawl of individual prison records and incur disproportionate cost.
	These figures have been drawn from administrative IT systems, which, as with any large scale recording system, are subject to possible errors with data entry and processing.

Homicide: Young Offenders

Kelvin Hopkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice 
	(1)  how many persons aged (a) under 16, (b) 16 to 18 and (c) 18 to 21 years at the time of conviction for (i) murder or (ii) manslaughter in each of the last 10 years, released on licence, breached the conditions of that licence and are not in custody;
	(2)  how many persons aged under 16 years at the time of conviction for (a) murder or (b) manslaughter and subsequently released on licence have been recalled to custody following commission of a further offence or for a breach of the licence in each of the last 10 years.

Crispin Blunt: There are no offenders who were aged under 22 years at the time of conviction for murder or manslaughter who were subsequently released during 2010 on licence and recalled to custody following a breach of licence conditions who are not currently in custody.
	There were no offenders aged under 16 years when convicted for murder who were released on licence during 2010 and subsequently recalled to custody following a breach of licence conditions in 2010.
	There was one offender aged under 16 when convicted for manslaughter and subsequently released on licence during 2010 who was recalled to custody for poor behaviour which constituted a breach of licence conditions. No further offence was committed.
	Detailed data before 2010 on recalled offenders returned to custody are not held centrally in an electronic format. A manual trawl of prisoner files would be required to obtain these data; this would incur disproportionate cost.
	These figures have been drawn from administrative IT systems, which, as with any large scale recording system, are subject to possible errors with data entry and processing.

Miscarriages of Justice

Katy Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice 
	(1)  if he will make an assessment of the performance of the Miscarriages of Justice Support Service in assisting victims of miscarriages of justice to access appropriate medical support and counselling;
	(2)  what criteria the Miscarriages of Justice Support Service uses to determine the medical support and counselling required by service users; and who is responsible for making any medical diagnosis that is required;
	(3)  how many service users the Miscarriages of Justice Support Service helped to access appropriate counselling in each year since its inception.

Crispin Blunt: The National Offender Management Service funds the Miscarriages of Justice Support Service organisation for a total of £150,000 per year. Access to appropriate health and counselling provision is central to the support provided by the organisation to all clients and cuts across all strands of their advice.
	Regarding psychiatric support, all staff are trained in mental health safety and access personal and professional support from Tavistock clinic. Some clients are referred following release for a free mental health assessment which is passed to their GP. The GP will make an onward referral for specialist support (including family therapy) as necessary. In the majority of cases the organisation is able to draw on probono support in relation to diagnosis via Dr Adrian Grounds, a leading forensic psychiatrist and member of the organisation's advisory group.
	Information since the organisation's inception is not available. However, I can confirm that the Miscarriages of Justice Support Service made 30 referrals in the last three years. In general terms the organisation is content that all clients who need or request an assessment are seen, mainly by Dr Adrian Grounds.

Prisoners

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice if he will estimate the number of prisoners per 100,000 head of population in each region in the latest period for which figures are available.

Crispin Blunt: The following table shows the number of prisoners per 100,000 head of population for each region in England and Wales using the prison population as at 30 June 2010 and the Office for National Statistics 2010 mid-year population estimates. Prisoners are not necessarily held in their home region so these rates partly reflect the geographic distribution of prisons.
	
		
			 Region Prison population Prisoner  s   per 100,000 population 
			 North-east 4,896 188 
			 North-west 12,604 182 
			 Yorkshire and Humber 9,328 176 
			 East midlands 10,249 229 
			 West midlands 8,473 155 
			 Eastern 9,205 158 
			 London 6,875 88 
			 South-east 14,344 168 
			 South-west 6,305 120 
			 Wales 2,723 91 
		
	
	These figures have been drawn from administrative IT systems which, as with any large scale recording system, are subject to possible errors with data entry and processing.

Prisoners: Human Rights

Amber Rudd: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how much his Department spent on the provision of legal aid to prisoners in respect of human rights cases in each of the last five years.

Jonathan Djanogly: The information is not readily available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost; a matter involving human rights can be brought under various categories of law and the status of an individual as a prisoner is not specifically recorded within those categories of law.
	Prisoners can receive legal aid within the prison law category of legal aid funding, subject to a means and merits test. This covers advice and assistance on matters relating to treatment, discipline and sentence and advocacy assistance at prison discipline and parole board hearings. The total cost of legal aid in the prison law category of funding for each of the past five years is as follows:
	
		
			  £ million 
			 2005-06 8,742 
			 2006-07 12,489 
			 2007-08 15,992 
			 2008-09 21,606 
			 2009-10 25,211

Prisoners: Repatriation

Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice with which countries the UK has an agreement to automatically deport foreign prisoners to serve their sentence in their country of origin.

Crispin Blunt: All prisoner transfer agreements (PTA) to which the United Kingdom is a signatory require the agreement of the other jurisdiction before a transfer is effected. None provide for the unfettered transfer of a sentenced prisoner to their country of origin. Most current agreements also require the consent of the prisoner but a number do not.
	The Government believe that wherever possible foreign national prisoners should serve their sentences in their own country and Government policy is to negotiate prisoner transfer agreements wherever they can. However, they cannot compel other states to conclude such agreements or to take back their nationals for the purpose of serving a prison sentence.
	The United Kingdom is a signatory to the additional protocol to the Council of Europe Convention on the transfer of sentenced persons and also has bilateral agreements with Rwanda and Libya which do not require the consent of the prisoner. However, the additional protocol requires certain criteria to be met before transfer, specifically that a deportation order should be in place.
	In December 2011 the United Kingdom will implement the EU PTA. This will require the receiving member state to accept a prisoner who meets the criteria for transfer and does not require the prisoner to consent. As a result of the EU PTA we expect to see a steady increase in the number of prisoners transferred to prisons in Europe.
	The signatory countries to the additional protocol are listed as follows. However, very few signatory states operate the protocol.
	Signatories to the additional protocol to the Council of Europe Convention on the transfer of sentenced persons
	Austria
	Belgium
	Bulgaria
	Croatia
	Cyprus
	Czech Republic
	Denmark
	Estonia
	Finland
	France
	Georgia
	Germany
	Greece
	Hungary
	Iceland
	Ireland
	Latvia
	Liechtenstein
	Lithuania
	Luxembourg
	Malta
	Moldova
	Montenegro
	Netherlands
	Norway
	Poland
	Romania
	Russian Federation
	San Marino
	Serbia
	Sweden
	Switzerland
	Macedonia
	United Kingdom
	Ukraine

Repossession Orders

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many house repossession orders were issued in each county court area in each of the last 24 months.

Jonathan Djanogly: The Ministry of Justice holds statistical information in relation to the numbers of mortgage and landlord possession claims which led to an order being made for all properties in each county court. These figures represent the numbers of claims leading to orders being made rather than the numbers of orders as they are more accurate, removing the double-counting of instances where a single claim leads to more than one order. They also provide a more meaningful measure of the number of homeowners who are subject to court repossession actions. The tables showing these figures by month from April 2009 to March 2011, the latest period for which figures are available, will be placed in the House Library.
	Quarterly statistics for each county court are regularly published on the Ministry of Justice's website at:
	http://www.justice.gov.uk/publications/statistics-and-data/civil-justice/mortgage-possession.htm

Sexual Offences: Criminal Injuries Compensation

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what guidance is given to Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) staff on (a) handling claims by victims of sexual assault and (b) the weight to give to reports from experts in such cases; what training CICA caseworkers must complete before undertaking their role; and if he will make a statement.

Jonathan Djanogly: CICA staff receive guidance to support them in handling all claims, including claims by victims of sexual assault, quickly, fairly, sensitively and courteously. In considering applications, due and proportionate weight is given to the range of evidence available. CICA caseworkers receive full training on the criminal injuries compensation scheme and its application.

Sexual Offences: Criminal Injuries Compensation

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many people lodged with the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (a) a claim, (b) a claim relating to a sexual assault, (c) a claim relating to rape of a female and (d) a claim relating to rape of a male in each of the last five years; what proportion of claims in each such category reached a resolution resulting in the (i) payment and (ii) non-payment of compensation; and what the average time taken from the initiation of a claim in each category to its (A) settlement or (B) discontinuance was in each such year.

Jonathan Djanogly: The criminal injuries compensation scheme (the scheme), which is set by Parliament, compensates people based on the injuries they sustain not the crime of which they were a victim. The ‘tariff of injuries’, which is the part of the scheme that assigns specific injuries standard amounts of compensation, contains several injury descriptions that could apply to people who have been sexually assaulted, a subset of which are most likely to apply to victims of rape. The figures CICA are able to produce, which follow, are therefore based on claims where they paid awards for these injury descriptions.
	
		
			    Awards paid for injuries headed non-consensual vaginal and/or anal intercourse; or non-consensual penile penetration of the vagina and/or anus and/or mouth 
			  Total claims Awards paid for sexual assault injuries Female Male 
			 2010-11 61,292 4,581 2,004 323 
			 Average time to resolve (calendar days) 417 310 321 323 
			      
			 2009-10 65,445 4,067 1,619 266 
			 Average time to resolve 495 394 439 505 
			      
			 2008-09 57,753 4,378 1,667 268 
			 Average time to resolve 492 414 438 551 
			      
			 2007-08 53,290 3,679 1,246 201 
			 Average time to resolve 520 495 576 631 
			      
			 2006-07 60,861 3,035 883 157 
			 Average time to resolve 537 470 539 644

Wormwood Scrubs Prison

Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what payments were received from (a) the BBC and (b) other production companies for the filming of BBC Question Time at Wormwood Scrubs prison.

Crispin Blunt: No money has yet been paid by Mentorn, the independent production company who make Question Time for the BBC, but HMP Wormwood Scrubs will be invoicing for the £2,000 cost of facilitating the programme.